title: Prevalence and risk factors for latex-related diseases among healthcare workers in an Italian general hospital.
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.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology Division, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti Scalo, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Verna
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Giampaolo
authors.forename: Annabella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Renzetti
authors.forename: Loukia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balatsinou
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Stefano
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Gioacchino
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Rocco
authors.forename: Cosima
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schiavone
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boscolo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Gioacchino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D009790:Occupations; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires