Latex‐induced occupational asthma: time trend in incidence and relationship with hospital glove policies

Vandenplas, Olivier; Larbanois, Alexandra; Vanassche, F; François, S; Jamart, Jacques; Vandeweerdt, Marc; Thimpont, Joël

doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01842.x

Cited by 55 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Furthermore, the recent article by Vandenplas et al [57] clearly shows how the decreasing use of powdered NRL gloves in healthcare in Belgium was associated with a sharply decreasing incidence of latex-induced asthma, evidenced by national compensation-based data. Of interest is the replacement of powdered NRL in Belgium mainly by synthetic gloves for non-sterile procedures.…”

Section: Decreasing Incidence and Prevalence Of Type I Allergymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of interest is the replacement of powdered NRL in Belgium mainly by synthetic gloves for non-sterile procedures. The actual prevalence of type I latex allergy in healthcare workers has been reported to be less than 1% in hospitals with strict NRL policies [18,54,55,57,58,59] particularly in Europe.…”

Section: Decreasing Incidence and Prevalence Of Type I Allergymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Importantly, several studies show that healthcare workers or other patients with diagnosed NRL allergy have been able to continue their work in hospitals and healthcare settings where low-allergen, low-protein and usually powder-free gloves have been used [17,18,55,57,60,61,62,63]. As summarised by Hunt et al [17], these studies generally demonstrate that NRL-allergic healthcare workers who, despite the need to use non-latex alternatives for their personal use, can continue to work in their medical environment if they use either non-powdered latex gloves, latex gloves of lowest protein content or latex gloves of very low allergen content.…”

Section: Decreasing Incidence and Prevalence Of Type I Allergymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Latex Medical Gloves: Time for a Reappraisal

Palosuo

Antoniadou

Gottrup

et al. 2011

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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Many hospitals have implemented policies to restrict or ban the use of devices made of natural rubber latex (NRL) in healthcare as precautionary measures against the perceived risk of NRL allergy. Changes in glove technology, progress in measuring the specific allergenic potential of gloves and a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of NRL allergies after interventions and education prompted us to revisit the basis for justifiable glove selection policies. The published Anglophone literature from 1990 to 2010 was reviewed for original articles and reviews dealing with the barrier and performance properties of NRL and synthetic gloves and the role of glove powder. The review shows that NRL medical gloves, when compared with synthetic gloves, tend to be stronger, more flexible and better accepted by clinicians. The introduction of powder-free gloves has been associated with reductions in protein content and associated allergies. Recently, new methods to quantify clinically relevant NRL allergens have enabled the identification of gloves with low allergenic potential. The use of low-protein, low-allergenic, powder-free gloves is associated with a significant decrease in the prevalence of type I allergic reactions to NRL among healthcare workers. Given the excellent barrier properties and operating characteristics, dramatically reduced incidences of allergic reactions, availability of specific tests for selection of low-allergen gloves, competitive costs and low environmental impact, the use of NRL gloves within the hospital environment warrants reappraisal.

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Section: Decreasing Incidence and Prevalence Of Type I Allergymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Decreasing Incidence and Prevalence Of Type I Allergymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Decreasing Incidence and Prevalence Of Type I Allergymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Latex Medical Gloves: Time for a Reappraisal

Palosuo

Antoniadou

Gottrup

et al. 2011

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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“…The sentinelbased Shield surveillance scheme, initiated in the Midlands of the United Kingdom 15 years ago, showed that metal fluid is frequently emerging as a new potential cause of OA, while diisocyanates remain the most common causal agent [37]. The trend to compensate for OA due to latex has steadily declined since 1990 in Belgium, this being associated with a reduction in the use of powdered gloves (with the powder representing a vehicle for dispersion of latex particles) [38]. A literature review spanning the years 1980 to 2006 suggests a reduction in the prevalence of OA due to laboratory animals [39].…”

Section: Frequency and Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Occupational Rhinitis and Asthma: Where Do We Stand, Where Do We Go?

Castaño

Malo

2010

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep

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This review provides an overview of current and emerging issues regarding occupational rhinitis (OR) and occupational asthma (OA), focusing on studies discussing concepts and results that are relevant to both diseases. OA and OR are conditions that affect the upper and lower airways, are characterized by reduced airway caliber and hyperresponsiveness and by inflammation, and are caused by agents present in the workplace. To explain disease expression, research is moving from the T-helper type 1/type 2 cells paradigm to consider the contribution of diverse alternative pathways such as neural inflammation, a dysfunctional epithelial barrier, and autoimmune mechanisms, among others. Objective assessment of OR and OA has been improved and tested for research and, currently, clinical application. Further developments in the field of OR are expected to lead to more generalized clinical applications, following the example of what has been achieved for OA.

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“…Before general reduction of protein content in NRL gloves, 5% to 10% of health care workers were NRL sensitized as determined by skin prick testing [1]. During the past 10 years, sensitization rates and clinical allergy to NRL have declined dramatically as a result of the introduction of non-NRL and low-protein, low-allergen NRL gloves [20]. Workers are exposed to microbial enzymes during manufacture of detergents, animal feed, fuel alcohol, textile, paper products, and pharmaceuticals.…”

Section: Specific Causes and Occupationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Rhinitis

Sublett

Bernstein

2010

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep

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Work-related rhinitis, which includes work-exacerbated rhinitis and occupational rhinitis, may be two to three times more common than occupational asthma. Both high molecular weight proteins and low molecular weight chemicals have been implicated as causes of occupational rhinitis. A diagnosis is established based on occupational history and, if appropriate, documentation of IgE-mediated sensitization to the causative agent. Management of work-related rhinitis is similar to that of non-work-related rhinitis and includes elimination or reduction of exposure to offending agents combined with pharmacotherapy. If treatment allergens are commercially available, allergen immunotherapy may also be considered if appropriate.

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Latex‐induced occupational asthma: time trend in incidence and relationship with hospital glove policies

Cited by 55 publications

References 17 publications

Latex Medical Gloves: Time for a Reappraisal

Latex Medical Gloves: Time for a Reappraisal

Occupational Rhinitis and Asthma: Where Do We Stand, Where Do We Go?

Occupational Rhinitis

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