Self-Reported Skin and Respiratory Symptoms Related to Latex Exposure among 5,087 Hospital Employees in Norway

Holter, Gro; Irgens, Ågot; Nyfors, A; Aasen, Tor; Florvaag, Erik; Overå, Kari Britt; Elsayed, S.; Nærheim, Jakob

doi:10.1159/000063146

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…A history of frequent invasive procedures is the second most common risk factor for latex sensitization after being an HCW (13). Holter et al reported that gender and atopy did not pose a risk for latex sensitization in surgical procedures (14). In our study, a history of more than 6 interventional procedures was more common in female HCWs compared to male HCWs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 41%

“…Many studies have shown that the most common latex-related symptoms are skin-related symptoms (12,18,19). A study by Holter et al on 5087 HCWs in Norway reported that 21% of HCWs most commonly developed itching and redness of the skin after contact with products containing latex (14). Symptoms associated with latex were found to be twice as common in female HCWs than in male HCWs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Symptoms and Awareness of Latex Allergy Among Healthcare Workers

Kartal¹,

Aytekin²,

Aydoğan³

et al. 2020

Asthma Allergy Immunol

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Objective: To evaluate the knowledge levels, sensitivity status, familial latex sensitivity, and attitudes towards the prevention and treatment of latex allergies of healthcare workers (HCWs) at a tertiary hospital. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out cross-sectionally between December 2012 and March 2013. A total of 566 HCWs at a tertiary hospital were included in the study. Results: The data of a total of 566 [333 (58.8%) female and 233 (41.2%) male] HCWs were analyzed. They consisted of 179 (31.6%) physicians, 48 (8.5%) technicians, 238 (42%) nurses, 48 (8.5%) laboratory technicians and 53 (9.4%) patient care workers. The family history of atopy was significantly higher in female HCWs (24.3%) compared to males (17.2%) (p= 0.041). A significant difference was identified between the occupational groups in terms of the rate of allergic symptoms after coming into contact with medical latex products (nurses 59.7%, doctors 17.6%, technicians 5.7%, laboratory technicians 6.9 %, patient care workers 10.1%; p= 0.001). Latexrelated symptoms were significantly more common in atopic HCWs (52.3%) compared to non-atopic ones (19.4%) (p= 0.001). The rate of latex-food syndrome was significantly more frequent in female HCWs (16%) compared to males (8.9%) (p= 0.038). Symptoms that developed after contact with medical and non-medical latex products were significantly more common in female HCWs (79.9% and 80.5%) compared to the male HCWs (21.1% and 19.5%) (p= 0.001). The rate of non-HCW(s) who shared the same house/room with the HCWs after work and who had allergic symptoms while in the same environment with the HCWs was 18%. The rate of these individuals was reported to be highest among the nurses at 53% and there was a statistically significant difference in terms of occupational groups (physicians 25.5%, technicians 9.8%, laboratory technicians 2.9%, patient care workers 7.8%; p= 0.030). Multivariate regression analysis showed that personal history of atopy (OR= 28.657, 95% CI= 6.548-125.411, p= 0.001) and the type of gloves used (latex gloves) (OR= 8.730, 95% CI= 3.490-21.834, p= 0.001) were independent predictors for latex allergy. Conclusion: In conclusion, latex is not only a cause of occupational allergy but is also an allergen that has the potential to cause allergic symptoms in people who share the same environment with HCWs. Questionnaires questioning the symptoms associated with past latex allergy may be an important tool for demonstrating latex sensitization in HCWs and managing latex-related reactions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 41%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Symptoms and Awareness of Latex Allergy Among Healthcare Workers

Kartal¹,

Aytekin²,

Aydoğan³

et al. 2020

Asthma Allergy Immunol

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show abstract

“…In a recent article, Holter et al21]described 11.8% of latex-exposed patients with hand eczema. Wilkinson and Burd [22]also reported 6.0% of latex allergy by patch testing on patients with hand eczema.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Type IV Hypersensitivity from Rubber Chemicals: A 15-Year Experience in Taiwan

Chen

Sun²,

Tseng³

2004

Dermatology

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Background: Allergic contact dermatitis from rubber chemicals is frequent but has not been reported form Asia. Objective: To study the pattern of type IV allergy to rubber chemicals in a Chinese-based population. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the patch test results of 2,235 (604 men, 1,631 women) patients from January 1986 to December 2000. Results: Ninety-nine patients (4.4%) had one or more positive reactions, 42 (6.9%) men and 57 (3.5%) women. The incidence did not increase throughout the study period. Among thiuram, mercapto, carba and black-rubber mix, thiuram is the most potent sensitizer, mostly for the hand and mercapto mix for the foot. Thiuram allergy is considered occupation related, while mercapto allergy, mostly from rubber slippers, is not typically related to an occupation. A negative correlation between thiuram and carba was found despite the frequent association between these two mixes. A high risk of rubber sensitization was noted in construction, health service, transportation, agriculture and hairdressing workers. A high frequency of concomitant sensitivity to cobalt was found. Conclusion: This is the first statistically analyzed study of rubber chemical allergy in Asia, which supports major trends concerning rubber chemical allergy from European studies. However, wearing rubber slippers in Taiwan contributes to the high percentage of foot dermatitis. Carba should still be retained in the European standard series because of the coexistence of thiuram and carba in rubber products. The concomitant sensitization to cobalt in rubber-allergic patients needs further evaluations.

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“…Most of the data on occupational skin disease come from register-based studies and surveillance schemes (1, Radon et al 3,7,10,12), case reports from specialized clinics (3,13,14), and some industry-based cross-sectional (14,15) and cohort studies (5-7, 12, 16-21). The latter studies have indicated that even short exposure periods may contribute to the development of skin diseases (1,(3)(4)(5)(6)(7).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%