Self-reported prevalence of fructan food hypersensitivity in university students from the State of Mexico

Abstract

To determine the self-reported prevalence of fructans food hypersensitivity in a sample of Mexican university students and to investigate the most frequent symptoms, the related foods involved, risk factors and gastrointestinal function status. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in a convenience sample of 412 university students aged from 18 to 35 years. Data were collected about their personal and family history of gastrointestinal diseases, the presence of symptoms after consumption of certain foods, and the severity of their symptoms. The prevalence of fructans food hypersensitivity was 31.1 %; it was higher in women than in men. The most frequent gastrointestinal symptoms were bloating and flatulence. The most frequent extra-intestinal symptoms were fatigue and stress. The food groups related to the occurrence of symptoms were legumes, vegetables, and fruits. Significant association was found between female sex, personal and family history of gastrointestinal diseases and the presence of fructans food hypersensitivity (p < 0.05). Most individuals with fructans food hypersensitivity had mild gastrointestinal dysfunction (67.2 %). FFH is a common condition, it was found in one third of university students and occurs mainly in women. More research and diffusion about this pathology is required.