Background: Several studies suggest that the prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing worldwide in recent years; then it is very important to identify some risk factors that could be related.
Objective: To know some hereditary and environmental risk factors that could be related to the development of allergic diseases in open population from Mexico City.
Patients and method: It was an open-population, cross-sectional trial, in two phases with a random sample size of 4272 individuals in 214 public health centers. A questionnaire was applied by health workers. Statistical analysis was made with Excel 97-2004 using the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and chi-square-test for discrete variables. p < 0.001 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of allergic diseases in Mexico City was 42.6%, allergic rhinitis was the most frequent. The most important risk factors for allergic diseases were: family history of atopy in first and second degree; early consumption of cow's milk; early weaning with cereal, egg, beef, fish and pulses; living with some animals, indoor plants, active and passive smoking, to keep stuffed toys in the rooms, as well as living in dwellings with dust, cold temperatures, wall saltpeter and with dampness (mold growth).
Conclusion: Because genetic factors can not be modified, it is important to identify environmental factors related to the development of allergic diseases in order to promote preventive measures.