230 The Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis in Adolescent in La Paz, Bolivia (3600 m.s.n.m.)

BACKGROUND: Allergic Rhinitis is the most prevalent illness in allergy. We didn't know the prevalence about it to 3600 m.s.n.m. It exist paper about prevalence at least altitude in 10 to 30% in different places. The purpose of this study is showing the prevalence of the allergic rhinitis in students in the city of La Paz, Bolivia. METHODS: We realize a question form with the methodology ISAAC in student into 13 to 18 years old in schools of the La Paz. We choose urban zones. We realize this study in February 2009. RESULTS: We get 250 questionnaires in adolescent and were completely right only 245. Of these 245 questionnaires 64% (157) were women and 36% (88) men. To the first question: Any time in your life have you had a problem with sneezing or a runny, or a blocked nose when you did not have a cold or the flu? They respond yes in the 60% (147 persons). To the second question: In the past 12 months, have you had a problem with sneezing, or a runny, or a blocked nose when you did not have a cold or the flu? They respond yes in the 43% (108 persons). To the third question: in the past 12 months, has this nose problem been accompanied by itchy-watery eyes? They respond yes in the 56.5% (83 persons). The months more prevalent were February 11.5% (17 persons); June 18% (27 persons); July 16% (24 persons) and august 20% (29 persons). Interference in their quality of life: neither 11.5% (17 persons), little 66% (97 persons), moderately 6.5% (10 persons) and a lot of much 16% (23 persons). CONCLUSIONS: The Allergic Rhinitis is high prevalent in citizen about 3600 m.s.n.m. 43% have Allergic Rhinitis with symptoms more prevalent in winter season, interfere with life in 22.5% and associated with ocular problems in 66% (97 persons). We must realize allergic test to discriminate allergic of non allergic rhinitis, because many people we had non allergic rhinitis associated to the cold temperature. We need to study more about this pathology in high altitude.