[Prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Durango, Mexico]

Allergic rhinitis has become the most frequent chronic disease of upper airways and its prevalence is increasing importantly in countries with systems of western life.

To determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its subtypes in inhabitants of Durango, Mexico.

Through a descriptive, cross-sectional study, 1,320 inhabitants of Durango were studied. They were chosen randomly and accepted voluntarily to participate. A modification of the Middleton diary symptom questionnaire was used as a tool to determine the prevalence.

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the general population was of 7.6% (95% CI 6.2-9.2). The prevalence of seasonal rhinitis was of 5.5% (95% CI 4.4-6.9), of perennial rhinitis, 2.1% (95% CI 1.4-3.0), for medical diagnosis, 4.3% (95% CI 3.4-5.8), and for survey, 3.3% (95% CI 2.4-4.4). The highest frequency was found in persons of 5-9 years old (12.5%) and in women (5.1%).

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Durango, Mexico, is similar to the national mean prevalence, but lower than that reported in developed countries.