[Epidemiology of latex allergy in healthcare workers]

Abstract

Background: Natural rubber latex is a recognized allergen and health care workers have an increased risk of sensitisation and allergic symptoms to latex.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate prevalence and incidence of latex sensitisation and symptoms in health care workers.

Methods: We analyzed the reported data from the scientific literature and from the follow-up study in health care workers in Trieste Hospitals carrying on since 1999.

Results: Latex allergy and sensitisation are significantly higher in health care workers respect to the general population with symptoms, such as urticaria, rhinoconjunctivis and asthma, ranging between 4 and 5.6%. Latex sensitisation evaluated by skin prick test is ranging between 6 to 7.8%. All studies done demonstrated the reduction of symptoms and incidence sensitisations after the changeover to a powder- free environment and the avoidance of unnecessary glove use.

Conclusions: Health care workers have an increased risk of sensitisation and allergic symptoms to latex but the use of un-powdered latex gloves by all workers and use of non-latex gloves by sensitized subjects can reduce symptoms and prevent new sensitisation. Nevetheless the use of no-latex gloves when avaiable has to be the best choice from the preventive point of view.