Prevalence of adverse reactions and food allergies in Colombia: Cross-sectional national study.

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of food allergy (FA) has been widely studied in developed countries but has been less explored in Latin American countries, where the population has unique cultural conditions, which influence different factors associated with the prevalence of FAs.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the prevalence of food adverse reactions (FARs), IgE sensitization, and FA in the Colombian population.

METHODS

This was a national cross-sectional study in 6 Colombian cities (Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Cartagena, Manizales, Medellín). In a subgroup of patients, we assessed IgE sensitization to 10 foods (milk, egg, soy, wheat, shrimp, peanuts, nuts, fish, chicken, beef). FA was defined as the presence of FAR with demonstration of IgE sensitization. To complete the study, in addition to this subgroup of patients, we used data of FA sensitization by skin prick test from different Colombian Allergy units.

RESULTS

A total of 7327 surveys were conducted; 24% of participants had a history of at least 1 FAR. In 2% of participants, FA been more frequent in children younger than 5 years of age (4.5%), and lower in adults (≥ 15 years) (1.1%). In adults, the main foods causing FA were shrimp. In children younger than 5, the main foods causing FA were milk and eggs; in children between 6 and 14 years, prevalence of FA to wheat, soy, peanuts, fish, milk, and shrimp was similar. Of children ≤ 14 years old with IgE sensitization to shrimp, 50% had never consumed shrimp or other crustaceans.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the frequency of adverse reactions was high, the prevalence of IgE reactions was relatively low. High IgE sensitization to shrimp appears to be due in part to cross-reactivity and not always to direct IgE sensitization after consumption. These results may be relevant for public health measures such as food labeling in tropical regions.