Hypersensitivity to Natural Rubber Latex Gloves among Albanian Dental Students: The Role of Exposure Duration

Abstract

Latex allergy is a common occupational disease among healthcare workers who use latex gloves. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of allergy to latex gloves among dental students and the role of exposure duration in latex allergy. In this prospective study, a total of 240 students completed a self-administered questionnaire aiming at providing information about glove, working habits, signs and symptoms related to glove use, precautions taken to minimize it, etc. The challenge and patch tests were performed through latex gloves, and skin prick test with commercial extracts. The questionnaire items and diagnostic tests revealed that one-fourth of subjects were suspicious for latex gloves hypersensitivity. Their mean value for skin reactions like contact urticaria, irritant or allergic dermatitis was between 10% and 14%, while for non-cutaneous symptoms the mean value was under 5%. The average latex exposure (in hours) is estimated to be about 214±71 (SE), with a maximum of 11500 hours. The correlation between studied variables and the time exposure to latex gloves revealed weak to moderate relations with respect to reported latex allergy, eczematous reactions, hand erythema after glove wearing, irritant reactions during wash/washout procedures, concentration oscillations during usage of latex gloves, or dyspnea attack during latex exposure. Due to the relationship between allergic reactions to latex gloves and some medical histories during school practice, it seems to be necessary to undergo pre-matriculation evaluation and periodic health surveillance of dental students. 2017 Vol.4, No.3, pp.45-49 ISSN(e): 2313-2752 ISSN(p): 2313-7746 DOI: 10.18488/journal.9.2017.43.45.49 © 2017 Contribution/Originality: AB designed the questionnaire, assisted students to complete them, conducted diagnostic tests and collected the data; DK and SS coordinated and helped with the study design and conduction; DM assisted on students' enrollment in the study and helped with the study design from the stomatological perspective; EP assisted on statistical analysis of the data; ÇM coordinated the students' enrollment in the study; AR assisted on manuscript copyediting, EÇM drafted the manuscript. International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences Research

Prevalencia de hipersensibilidad a materiales dentales en la facultad de odontología de la Universidad de Los Andes

“…Con respecto a los materiales dentales causantes de hipersensibilidad en los individuos, se observó que un 14,3% de la muestra manifestó presentar hipersensibilidad al uso de guantes de látex, lo que se asemeja a los resultados reportados en un estudio 27…”

“…Se estima que, durante la práctica médica por más de tres años, utilizando más de tres pares de guantes de látex por día, durante más de 18 horas semanales, el profesional se expone a un total de 9.000 horas a los alérgenos presentes en el látex, lo cual se considera un factor de riesgo sobre el aumento de la prevalencia de hipersensibilidad a este material 27 . Cabe destacar que los estudiantes de pregrado no están exentos a desarrollar este tipo de hipersensibilidad, ya que desde inicios de su carrera hacen uso de guantes de látex, pudiendo incrementar el riesgo a sensibilizarse 28 .…”