More than ten years without changes in the prevalence of adverse food reactions among Mexican adults: Comparison of two cross-sectional surveys.

Abstract

Background: Some regions of the world have experienced increases in the prevalence of diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis; however, little is known about whether the same has occurred with the prevalence of adverse food reactions.

Objective: To determine the temporal trend in the prevalence of adverse food reactions among adults in western Mexico.

Methods: The results of 2 cross-sectional studies conducted 11 years apart (2012-2013 and 2023-2024) are compared. Data were obtained through a standardized survey administered to adults participating in physical activities in the "vía recreactiva" of Guadalajara and were included through stratified sampling based on sex and age.

Results: The first and second studies included 471 and 485 adults, respectively. Comparatively, the prevalence of adverse food reactions was 19.5% and 19.4% (P = 0.953). For oral allergy syndrome, urticaria, and self-reported anaphylaxis, the prevalence was 6.8% and 9.7% (P = 0.104), 5.9% and 4.3% (P = 0.258), and 2.3% and 0.6% (P = 0.032), respectively. Multivariate analyses identified female sex (adjusted odds ratio: 1.52, P = 0.013), age between 25 and 50 years (adjusted odds ratio: 0.59, P = 0.002), personal history of allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio: 2.10, P = 0.004), and atopic dermatitis (adjusted odds ratio: 4.99, P < 0.001) as factors associated with adverse food reaction.

Conclusion: Overall, the prevalence of adverse food reactions, their clinical manifestations, and the most implicated foods did not change during the analysis period. Sex, age, and atopic comorbidities were associated with adverse food reactions.