Latex Allergy in Operating Room Nurses (original) (raw)
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558 Latex allergy in operating room nurses
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1996
To determine the prevalence of allergy to natural rubber latex and potential crossreacting foods in operating room nurses.
Natural rubber latex hypersensitivity with skin prick test in operating room personnel
Iranian journal of allergy, asthma, and immunology
Hypersensitivity reactions to natural rubber latex have increased recently, especially among people with high exposure to latex allergens. Hypersensitivity reactions to latex are related to many conditions like occupational asthma. Our study was performed to determine the prevalence of hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex and potential food cross reactions in operation room personnel in Shiraz hospitals. In this cross-sectional, descriptive study, 580 operation room personnel filled out our questionnaire which included data about their personal history, symptoms of latex hypersensitivity, and other related allergies such as food hypersensitivity. An informed consent was obtained and skin prick tests were performed for natural rubber latex and potential food cross reactions (kiwi, banana, and potato). The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS and Chi-square test.Results: 104 (17.9%) of the operating room personnel showed positive latex skin tests. We revealed a significant correlat...
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 2006
Background: In this study the latex protein content in devices commonly used in hospitals and general practice were investigated. The main aim was to acquire information for preventing latex allergy in health care workers and in the general population. Methods: About 22 different types of medical devices and 23 devices commonly used in general practice were examined evaluating the total allergenic potency by a modified RAST-inhibition assay and quantitative determination of single allergens (Hev b1, Hev b5 and Hev b6.02) by using commercial ELISA kit. Results: A high level of inhibition was found in medical devices, such as elastic bandage (81.57%), tourniquet (74.09%), Foley urinary catheter (68.35%), Penrose drainage (67.25%) and taping (39.6%), and in common devices, such as rubber inner-sole (84.20%), toy balloon (78.62%), latex mattress (74.27%), household rubber gloves (49.10%), working gloves (38.25%), inflatable floating mattress (32.10%). Concentrations of latex extractable proteins and Hev b1, Hev b5 and Hev b6.02 antigens were high in some medical and general devices. Conclusions: Latex exposure sources were found in hospitals and the home. These findings, though only preliminary and far from conclusive, could enable sensitized persons to avoid risky exposures and prevent allergic reactions. From the point of view of prevention, the time may come when every natural rubber object could be systematically labelled as “containing latex” together with the warning that “this item may cause allergic reactions in sensitized subjects.”
Latex Allergy in Health Care Workers: What are the Risks?
AAOHN Journal, 1999
atex allergy is a threat to workers in health care settings in which latex products commonly are used. Two main types of allergic reactions to latex include Type I, an immediate reaction, and Type IV, a delayed response. Studies reported the prevalence of latex allergy in health care workers between 8% and 70%, the latter in atopic operating room nurses. The mandatory ruling on labeling products containing latex by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will increase awareness of the number of products containing latex (Natural Rubber Containing Medical Devices: User Labeling, 1997). Health care workers frequently exposed to latex need to be informed about the signs and symptoms of latex allergy, alternatives to latex products, and how to protect themselves and their clients from becoming sensitized and subsequently allergic to latex. This article reviews information related to latex allergy, specifically as it relates to health care workers. BACKGROUND Latex is a recognized cause of occupational allergy in health care workers. Employees working in hospital settings are chronically exposed to products containing latex, such as medical equipment. The most common products are latex gloves. Several factors affect the allergenicity of latex gloves including the use of accelerators (i.e., chemical agents used to speed up the curing
Prevalence of latex allergy among healthcare workers
2010
Objectives: The use of latex gloves has increased by several folds in the recent past due to concerns about blood-borne infections. Data from Asian countries with regard to latex allergy is scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of latex allergy among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Sri Lanka. Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among different categories of employees in the hospital. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data related to latex allergy. Results: A total of 524 employees was recruited and 62% responded to the questionnaire. Among them 49.2% wore gloves for more than 1 hour a day. Symptoms suggestive of latex allergy were reported by 53 (16.3%) subjects. A considerable proportion (11.4%) of workers had been suffering from latex allergy for more than 5 years. Nurses accounted for the highest prevalence for any job category, while the unit with the highest rate was the surgical ward. Duration in the service (OR = 1.006, P = 0.048) and wearing gloves for more than one hour a day (OR = 3.292, P = 0.004) were significant risk factors for latex allergy, but not atopy or family history of atopy. Seven employees noticed that they developed food allergy after assuming duties as healthcare personnel. Conclusions: Prevalence of latex allergy is high among healthcare workers in this study population. Environmental factors rather than genetic predisposition play the major role in the development of this condition.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2002
When our employees began coming to the Occupational Health Service, Dermatology, and Allergy Clinics with symptoms of allergy to rubber gloves 12 years ago, the Mayo Clinic initiated 3 responses. (1) The Allergic Disease Research Laboratory adapted well-established technology to measure both the IgE antibody specific to natural rubber allergens, and by use of this IgE antibody, the allergens in rubber products and in the air of the workplace. (2) The Division of Allergic Diseases and Internal Medicine reviewed the prevalence and severity of the problem. (3) The Clinical Practice Committee appointed a multidisciplinary task force to implement measures to reduce exposure. The 3 sections of this article describe the Mayo Clinic's experience of successful control of this occupational health problem. Use of only gloves with low or undetectable allergen content greatly reduced the concentration of allergen in the work site, reduced the number of new cases of occupational allergy to rubber, and allowed individuals with latex allergy to work at their usual jobs. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;110:S96-106.)
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet, 2006
According to studies from different countries, the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) sensitization in healthcare workers ranges from 2.9 to 17%. The incidence and prevalence of sensitization and allergy to NRL in Thailand is limited to two studies. There is no study among the high risk healthcare workers. 1) To estimate the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) glove allergy and NRL sensitization among nurses; 2) To describe its clinical symptoms. Included in the present study were 412 nursing and medical record staff. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal biodata and individual allergy histories to NRL products. Skin prick tests (SPTs) with the commercial NRL allergens; Stallergènes, S.A, Fresnes, France, and common environmental allergens, were performed. The questionnaire response rate was 88% (412/470), 93% females. The response rate of SPT was 72% (295/412) (95%CI 67.2, 76.0). The prevalence of NRL glove allergic symptoms and NRL sensitization...
Symptoms and Awareness of Latex Allergy Among Healthcare Workers
Asthma Allergy Immunology, 2020
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.