Prevalence and Risk Factors for Latex-Related Diseases Among Healthcare Workers in an Italian General Hospital

  1. Mario Di Gioacchino1
  1. 1Occupational Medicine, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology Division, Department of Medicine and Science of Ageing, University “ G. d’Annunzio,” Chieti Scalo, Italy
  2. 2Allergy Unit, Pescara Hospital, Pescara, Italy
  1. Address correspondence to Professor Mario Di Gioacchino, “G. D’Annunzio” University, Viale Gran Sasso 92, 66100 Chieti, Italy; tel 39 087 135 8578; fax 39 087 155 1615; e-mail m.digioacchino{at}unich.it.
  • Received 15 January 2003.
  • Accepted 6 February 2003.

Abstract

Latex allergy has become an occupational hazard among healthcare workers. Atopy and degree of exposure have been recognized as predisposing factors for latex sensitization. We investigated the prevalence of latex allergy and the potential risk factors for latex sensitization, by distributing a questionnaire to 284 employees of a general hospital in central Italy. We collected information about occupational history, including specific tasks performed; time of first exposure to latex gloves; number of pairs of gloves; and duration of daily exposure. We also investigated the interval between first exposure and onset of symptoms, as well as the exact circumstances of their appearance. We evaluated pre-existing rhinoconjunctivitis, asthma, atopic and contact dermatitis, and allergies to drugs and foods using prick and patch tests. Latex allergy was established by means of skin-prick test, specific IgE, patch-test, and latex-glove-wearing test. This survey documented a high prevalence of symptoms related to the use of latex (47%) among the hospital staff; demonstrable sensitization to latex was considerably lower (12%), though strongly associated to atopy and duration of occupational exposure. Despite non-specificity, validated questionnaires constitute the most useful means to implement health surveillance and prevention of latex-related diseases among healthcare workers.

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