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Prevalence of allergic disorders among the population in the city of Mashhad, Northeast Iran

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Abstract

Background

Allergic disorders are common ailments, which cause socioeconomic problems. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of allergic disorders and symptoms suggestive of asthma in Mashhad city, Northeast Iran.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional survey in a randomly selected representative sample of the Mashhad population. A questionnaire was used based on the standard questionnaire of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). The questionnaires asked about allergy-related symptoms including nasal symptoms, eye symptoms, atopic dermatitis symptoms, confirmed asthma, asthma-related symptoms, and nonspecific allergic symptoms. Some of the environmental triggers of allergic reactions such as pollen, dried plant, dust, drugs, food, fruit, condiments, makeup, perfume, jewelry, latex gloves, and keeping a pet were considered in the questionnaire.

Results

The prevalence of allergic disorders in this study was found to be 27.5% in the city of Mashhad. According to our definitions, the rates detected of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and asthma were 22.4, 6.6, 13.5, 9.5, and 2.3%, respectively. Half of the allergic group suffered from rhinorrhea and other symptoms were significantly higher than in the non-allergic group. Dust and pollen were found to be the most important triggers of allergic reactions in the allergic group.

Conclusion

This report may be useful to understand the factors contributing to asthma and allergic disorders and may help in management and control of these problems.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS). We would like to thank all of the participants in this survey.

Conflict of interest

The authors confirm that there are no relevant associations that might pose a conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Abdol Reza Varasteh, Mohammad Fereidouni, Maliheh Saberi Afsharian, Marzieh Samei & Mojtaba Sankian

  2. Department of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Mohammad Taghi Shakeri

  3. Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Mashhad, Iran

    Fatemeh Vahedi

  4. Beheshti Teacher Training Center, Mashhad, Iran

    Ahmad Abolhasani

  5. Department of Immunobiochemistry, Immunology Research Center, Bu-Ali Institute, Bu-Ali Square, Ferdowsi Square, Mashhad, Iran

    Abdol Reza Varasteh

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  1. Abdol Reza Varasteh
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  2. Mohammad Fereidouni
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  3. Mohammad Taghi Shakeri
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  4. Fatemeh Vahedi
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  6. Maliheh Saberi Afsharian
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  7. Marzieh Samei
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  8. Mojtaba Sankian
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Correspondence to Abdol Reza Varasteh.

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Varasteh, A.R., Fereidouni, M., Shakeri, M.T. et al. Prevalence of allergic disorders among the population in the city of Mashhad, Northeast Iran. J Public Health 17, 107–112 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-008-0217-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-008-0217-6

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