title: Latex allergy and associated risk factors in a group of Turkish patients with spina bifida.
abstract: Allergic reactions to latex are common in patients with spina bifida. Its incidence varies between 28% and 67%. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of latex allergy and its risk factors in patients with spina bifida in Izmir, Turkey. Forty-six patients (24 male, mean age 10 years) were included in the study. A questionnaire was completed and skin prick tests with latex solution and cross-reacting foods were performed. Total IgE levels, specific IgE to common aeroallergens (Phadiotop), and latex specific IgE levels were measured. Patients with positive skin test reaction and/or who had specific IgE to latex without clinical symptoms were considered as sensitive to latex. The patients who also had clinical symptoms with latex exposure were diagnosed as allergic to latex. Latex sensitivity was found in 5/46 patients (10.8%). Only two patients had latex allergy (4.3%). Total IgE levels were higher (median 157 vs. 40 kU/L, p=0.012) and the duration of clean intermittent catheterization was longer insensitized patients when compared to non-sensitized patients (median 8 vs. 3 years, p=0.015). Specific IgE to common aeroallergens and positive skin prick test to cross-reacting foods were more prevalent in sensitized than in non-sensitized patients (p=0.02 and 0.015, respectively). The incidence of latex allergy in our group was lower than reported in the literature. This result may be due to the low number of surgical interventions. High levels of total IgE, positive Phadiotop, positive skin prick test to cross-reacting foods and the duration of clean intermittent catheterization are the risk factors for latex sensitivity in patients with spina bifida.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Okan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gülbahar
authors.forename: Esen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.forename: Nihal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mete
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ulman
authors.forename: Demet
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Can
authors.forename: Aytül
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sin
authors.forename: Figen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gülen
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kokuludağ
authors.forename: Remziye
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tanaç
authors.forename: Filiz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sebik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000276:immunology*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D007073:Immunoglobulin E