[Consultation profile and critical points in allergic patient attention at IMSS made by a non-allergologist specialist doctor].

BACKGROUND

Allergic diseases represent a serious public health problem all over the world, and they use to be associated with environmental factors as well as with each patient genetic predisposition.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize consult profile and critical points of allergic patients attention attended by non-allergologists specialists but referred by allergologists.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Descriptive study since October 2004 until February 2005, with a questionnaire to 255 patients attended by non-allergologists specialists in an IMSS hospital. Skin hypersensibility Prick-tests with standardized commercial extracts were practiced (1:20 p/v).

RESULTS

Gender distribution was 41.96% male and 58.04% female, most of them (88.6%) from urban places (the reminder from rural ones); 55.37% with family history of allergy. In 49.02% the disease disturbs family behavior. Annual attention cost to allergic patients was 2,896.74 mexican pesos. Only 35.7% of patients get the disease control. Both work and home control of allergy exacerbation risk factors were poor.

CONCLUSIONS

Critical points affecting allergic patients' treatment are attention to risk factors and to those factors exacerbating the disease (environmental and drug scheme choice). Non-allergologists specialists must consider a better control of allergic patients.