Background: Natural rubber latex allergy can cause skin and respiratory symptoms The aim of this study
was to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of latex related symptoms and sensitisation among a large
group of healthcare workers in Trieste hospitals, followed for three years before and after the introduction
of powder-free gloves with low latex release.
Methods: In the years 1997–99 the authors evaluated 1040 healthcare workers exposed to latex allergen
for latex related symptoms and sensitisation by means of a questionnaire, a medical examination, skin
prick tests, and IgE specific antibody assay. The second evaluation was carried out in the years 2000–02,
subsequent to the changeover to a powder-free environment.
Results: Glove related symptoms were seen in 21.8% of the nurses (227), mostly consisting of mild
dermatitis: 38 (3.6%) complaining of contact urticaria and 24 (2.3%) of asthma and/or rhinitis. These
symptoms were significantly related to skin prick tests positive to latex (OR = 9.70; 95% CI 5.5 to 17) and to
personal atopy (OR = 2.29; 95% CI 1.6 to 3.2). Follow up was completed in 960 subjects (92.3%): 19 new
subjects (2.4%) complained of itching erythema when using gloves, but none was prick positive to latex.
Symptoms significantly improved and in most cases disappeared (p,0.0001).
Conclusions: Simple measures such as the avoidance of unnecessary glove use, the use of non-powdered
latex gloves by all workers, and use of non-latex gloves by sensitised subjects can stop the progression of
latex symptoms and can avoid new cases of sensitisation.
