Incidence of latex sensitization among latex glove users - 09/09/11
Abstract |
Background: Although there are several reports of the prevalence of latex sensitization among health care workers, the incidence of sensitization is unknown.
Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of sensitization among latex glove users at a hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Methods: Workers with negative results to the skin test at baseline were followed prospectively over 1 year, some wearing powdered gloves and others using powder-free gloves. They were reevaluated in 1995 with a questionnaire and skin prick test (SPT) sensitivity to latex reagents, three common inhalants, and six foods. A conversion was defined as a (new) latex SPT with wheal diameter at least 4 mm greater than saline control. Glove extracts were assayed for antigenic protein, and air samples were obtained to estimate exposure to airborne latex protein.
Results: During powdered glove use, personal exposures ranged from 5 to 616 ng/m3, whereas during powder-free glove use, all but two results for air samples were below the limit of detection (about 0.1 ng/m3). During the study period, the protein concentration in the powdered gloves, initially mean 557 μg/gm of sample, declined at a rate of 295 μg/gm per year (p < 0.0001). Of the 1075 SPT-negative participants at baseline, 479 were working in eligible wards, and of these, 435 (91%) participated in follow-up, 227 using powder-free gloves and 208 using powdered gloves. We identified four conversions, two (1.0%) in the powdered glove group and two (0.9%) in the powder-free group. The two participants using powdered gloves were the only converters who were symptomatic. The significance of skin test conversions identified in the powder-free group, both asymptomatic patients, is unclear. The limitations of the study are discussed, including the limited power, the declines in latex protein concentrations, and the possibility of information (observer) bias.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this represents the first reported estimate (about 1%) of incidence of sensitization in hospital personnel using latex gloves. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1998;101:171-8.)
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Latex gloves, sensitization, powdered gloves, powder-free gloves, latex protein concentrations, prospective study, skin testing, airborne exposure
Abbreviations : HCW:, NRL:, SPT:
Plan
 | From athe Section of Allergy, Wellesley Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto; bOntario Ministry of Labour, Ontario; cthe Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, University of Toronto, Toronto; dMichael G. DeGroot School of Business, McMaster University, Hamilton; eEmployee Health Service, Hamilton Health Sciences Corp., Hamilton; fGuthrie Research Institute, Sayre; gAllergic Diseases Research Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester; hMedical Devices Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa; ithe Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto; jthe Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton; and kthe Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Tampere. |
| Supported in part by Aladan Corporation, Ansell Medical, and Regent Hospital Products. |
 | Reprint requests: Gordon L. Sussman, MD, FRCPC, 202 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto, ON, Canada M4V 1R2. |
| 1/1/86357 |
Vol 101 - N° 2
P. 171-178 - février 1998 Retour au numéro
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