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Occup Environ Med. 2006 Feb;63(2):121-5.
Latex allergy: a follow up study of 1040 healthcare workers.
‘Filon FL, Radman G.
UCO Medicina del Lavoro, Dipartimento di Scienze di Medicina Pubblica, Universita degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Ital y. Larese@univ.trieste.it’
BACKGROUND: Natural rubber latex allergy can cause skin and respiratory symptoms The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of latex related symptoms and sensitisation among a large group of healthcare workers in Trieste hospitals, followed for three years before and after the introduction of powder-free gloves with low latex release. METHODS: In the years 1997-99 the authors evaluated 1040 healthcare workers exposed to latex allergen for latex related symptoms and sensitisation by means of a questionnaire, a medical examination, skin prick tests, and IgE specific antibody assay. The second evaluation was carried out in the years 2000-02, subsequent to the changeover to a powder-free environment. RESULTS: Glove related symptoms were seen in 21.8% of the nurses (227), mostly consisting of mild dermatitis: 38 (3.6%) complaining of contact urticaria and 24 (2.3%) of asthma and/or rhinitis. These symptoms were significantly related to skin prick tests positive to latex (OR = 9.70; 95% CI 5.5 to 17) and to personal atopy (OR = 2.29; 95% CI 1.6 to 3.2). Follow up was completed in 960 subjects (92.3%): 19 new subjects (2.4%) complained of itching erythema when using gloves, but none was prick positive to latex. Symptoms significantly improved and in most cases disappeared (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Simple measures such as the avoidance of unnecessary glove use, the use of non-powdered latex gloves by all workers, and use of non-latex gloves by sensitised subjects can stop the progression of latex symptoms and can avoid new cases of sensitisation.
MeSH Terms: Adult – Age Distribution – Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/epidemiology – Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/etiology – Epidemiologic Methods – Female – Gloves, Protective/adverse effects – Humans – Italy/epidemiology – Latex Hypersensitivity/epidemiol
Publication Types: Multicenter Study