title: Decrease in the rate of sensitization and clinical allergy to natural rubber latex.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the 1980s, a striking increase in natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy was seen. Since then, many measures have been taken to prevent NRL allergy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate changes in the prevalence of NRL sensitization/clinical NRL allergy over time from 2002 to 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients prick tested for NRL at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital were included in this study (n = 8580). In NRL-sensitized patients, the clinical relevance was evaluated for NRL. Furthermore, concomitant positive prick test results for birch pollen were recorded, together with food-related symptoms and sensitization in a subgroup of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of NRL sensitization declined from 6.1% in 2002-2005 to 1.9% in 2006-2009, and then to 1.2% in 2010-2013 (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of clinical NRL allergy declined from 1.3% in 2002-2005 to 0.5-0.6% in 2006-2013 (p < 0.004). Among the NRL-sensitized patients, 64% had a concomitant positive prick test reaction to birch pollen, and 52% had a history of reaction to oral intake of related fruits or vegetables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed a statistically significant decline in the number of patients sensitized/clinically allergic to NRL. Many of the NRL-sensitized patients without clinical allergy to NRL had concomitant birch pollen sensitization, and reported food-related symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Michelle S B
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Blaabjerg
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Klaus E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.|Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense Research Centre for Anaphylaxis (ORCA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bindslev-Jensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.|Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense Research Centre for Anaphylaxis (ORCA), Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Charlotte G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Mortz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D029662:Betula / Q000276:immunology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: allergy; birch pollen sensitization; food allergy; natural rubber latex; prevalence; sensitization