ORIGINAL ARTICLE A preliminary survey of the prevalence of allergic disorders in a questionnaire-based study in Boshroye, a rural area of Iran Mohammad Fereidouni & Ahmad Abolhasani & Fatemeh Vahedi & Mohammad Taghi Shakeri & Abdolreza Varasteh Received: 2 December 2008 / Accepted: 10 August 2009 / Published online: 12 November 2009 # Springer-Verlag 2009 Abstract Background Knowledge about the prevalence, risk factors and triggers of allergic disorders among populations of different geographical areas is important for the development of preventative strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, clinical pattern and triggers of allergic disorders among the inhabitants of the rural town, Boshrooye, in Iran. Methods A written symptoms questionnaire derived from the standard questionnaire of the European Community Respira- tory Health Survey (ECRHS) in the Farsi language was used. Results The prevalence of atopy, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis and physician-diagnosed asthma was 18.1%, 15.5%, 11.5%, 8.2% and 0.3%, respectively. Rhinorhea, sneezing and nose blockage were the most frequent symptoms among atopic cases (37.7%, 33% and 28.8%, respectively). Dust and pollen were the most important triggers of allergic symptoms. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate a low to moderate prevalence of allergic disorders in a rural area in Iran and emphasize the importance of dust and pollens as the main triggers of allergic symptoms. Keywords Allergy . Asthma . Atopic dermatitis . Questionnaire . Rhinitis Introduction Allergic diseases are one of the most common disorders; besides the economic burden resulting from treatment expenses, they also affect the quality of life of atopic patients (Leynaert et al. 2000). Epidemiological studies have reported an increasing prevalence of allergic disorders in many coun- tries (Latvala et al. 2005). The fact that the prevalence of allergic disorders has been increasing reflects the role of many risk factors such as genetic predisposition, diet, early microbial exposure, western lifestyle, air pollutants and pollens (Kaiser 2004). Some demographic factors like socio-economic status, sex, age and geographical variations may affect the prevalence of allergies (Mercer et al. 2004; Zanolin et al. 2004). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of allergic disorders and their related symptoms among residents of Boshrooye, a small city near the central desert of Iran. M. Fereidouni Medical School, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran A. Varasteh Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran A. Abolhasani Beheshti Teacher Training Center, Mashhad, Iran F. Vahedi Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Mashhad, Iran M. T. Shakeri Department of Public Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran A. Varasteh (*) Bu-Ali Research Institute, Ferdowsi Square, Bu-Ali Square, Mashhad, Iran 9196773117 e-mail: varasteha@mums.ac.ir J Public Health (2010) 18:119–121 DOI 10.1007/s10389-009-0291-4