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Ten years incidence of natural rubber latex sensitization and symptoms in a prospective cohort of health care workers using non-powdered latex gloves 2000–2009

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health volume 87, pages 463–469 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the incidence of sensitization and gloves-related symptoms in 10-year follow-up in a group of health care workers (9,660 person-years) using non-powdered latex gloves from 2000 to 2009 and to examine related factors.

Materials and methods

We studied 2,053 health care workers in Trieste Hospitals by means of skin prick test for latex extract, patch tests and medical examinations. We report the incidence of latex sensitization among workers using non-powdered latex gloves.

Results

The incidence of latex sensitization, rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis were 1.0; 0.12; 0.21; 0.72; 2.39 and 2.50 cases per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Respiratory symptoms and urticaria were positively related with latex sensitization (OR = 8.0; 95 % CL 1.27–48.6), with common allergic respiratory symptoms (OR = 4.19; 95 % CL 1.04–16.8) and with familial atopy (OR = 4.47; 95 % CL 1.1–17.9).

Conclusion

The incidence of latex sensitization and latex-related symptoms were very low but subjects with allergic symptoms related to common allergens are at higher risk. The use of non-latex gloves is suggested for them.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unità Clinico Operativa di Medicina del Lavoro, Dipartimento di Scienze di Medicina Pubblica, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via della Pietà, 19-24120, Trieste, Italy

    Francesca Larese Filon, Letizia Bochdanovits, Chiara Capuzzo, Roberto Cerchi & Francesca Rui

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  1. Francesca Larese Filon
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  2. Letizia Bochdanovits
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  3. Chiara Capuzzo
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  4. Roberto Cerchi
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  5. Francesca Rui
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Correspondence to Francesca Larese Filon.

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Larese Filon, F., Bochdanovits, L., Capuzzo, C. et al. Ten years incidence of natural rubber latex sensitization and symptoms in a prospective cohort of health care workers using non-powdered latex gloves 2000–2009. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 87, 463–469 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0885-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-013-0885-6

Keywords

  • Occupational exposure
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Natural rubber latex
  • Follow-up incidence
  • Health care workers