Minimum prevalence of latex hypersensitivity in health care workers.
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| Abstract |
Health care workers (HCW) have been shown to be at significant risk for developing latex allergy. Natural rubber latex hypersensitivity has been reported in 2.9 to 17% of health care workers in previously published studies. This study describes the prevalence of latex hypersensitivity in a large cohort of medical center employees. A screening questionnaire was distributed to 1967 employees in six job categories exposed to latex, and 1331 questionnaires were returned (68%) between March and November 1995. Skin and serologic testing was performed on 156 volunteers. Of the 1331 HCWs who completed the screening questionnaire, 290 (21.8%) self-reported contact dermatitis to latex, 67 (5.0%) self-reported urticaria to latex, 163 (12.2%) self-reported rhinoconjunctivitis to latex, and 17 (1.3%) self-reported asthmatic symptoms to latex. Of the total population of 1967 employees, 38 (1.9%) were either skin test or blood test positive and 30 (1.5%) of these 38 were symptomatic around latex. This study suggests a minimum prevalence of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to latex of 1.5% among medical center employees. Our reported prevalence figures are lower than previously reported, reflecting, in part, reporting methods using a denominator more consistent with the total population at risk. Our study also illustrates the pitfall of relying on self-reporting in making the diagnosis of latex allergy.
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| Authors | K T Kim, E K Wellmeyer, K V Miller |
| Journal | Allergy and asthma proceedings (Allergy Asthma Proc) 1999 Nov-Dec Vol. 20 Issue 6 Pg. 387-91 ISSN: 1088-5412 [Print] United States |
| PMID | 10624496 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't) |
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