[Prevalence and risk factors for latex sensitization among anesthesiologists]

Although powdered latex surgical gloves are predominantly used in Japanese healthcare facilities, the prevalence of latex sensitization among anesthesiologists has not been investigated.

The authors surveyed 60 anesthesiologists of 16 facilities with questionnaires and measurements of specific IgE antibodies against latex and other aeroallergens by AlaSTAT microplate immunoassay. Sensitization was defined as positive if the specific IgE concentration was not less than 0.70 IU x ml(-1).

With surgical gloves 63.3% of anesthesiologists used powdered latex gloves, compared to 10.2% with examination gloves. The prevalence of latex sensitization was 33.3%, with a peak of 70% (7/10) in ages 45-49. In multivariate analysis, anesthesiologists of the facilities where more than 50% of them used powdered latex surgical gloves had a 6.0-fold risk of latex sensitization (95% CI 1.7-21.5; P=0.006). Histories of atopic dermatitis, asthma, or food allergy were also considered as risk factors (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.1-13.7; P=0.038). The history of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was not associated with latex allergen, but with Japanese cedar pollen. No relation was observed between latex and timothy pollen.

Our results suggest that surgical powdered latex gloves were the major predisposing factor for latex sensitization measured by latex-specific IgE among anesthesiologists.