Natural rubber latex allergy in a health-care population in Wales.
BACKGROUND
Type 1 natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy prevalence rates quoted vary due to the different populations studied and methodologies used for assessment and investigation of NRL allergy.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the rate of type 1 allergy to NRL in health-care workers (HCWs) in a single NHS trust in Wales.


METHODS
A response rate of 3716 of 5548 (67%) of the employees was obtained with a latex allergy questionnaire administered by the occupational health departments. Type 1 NRL allergy was diagnosed by correlating clinical symptoms, skin prick testing and IgE RAST to latex in the dermatology department.


RESULTS
The period prevalence (1998-2001) for type 1 clinical latex allergy in HCWs was 25 of 4439 (0.56%). Of the 25 positive HCWs, 18 (72%) were nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
The low prevalence rate of type 1 NRL allergy should not lead to underestimating the importance of clinically significant NRL allergy and the risks that need to be minimized.
Chowdhury
M M U
MM
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Wales, Box 100, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK.
Statham
B N
BN
D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012882:Skin Tests; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D007073:Immunoglobulin E