Prevalence of adverse reactions to latex gloves in Korean operating room nurses

Int J Nurs Stud. 2002 Aug;39(6):637-43. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7489(02)00002-0.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of adverse reactions to latex gloves. Among hospital personnel working in operating rooms, 41.4% reported adverse reactions to latex. Especially among OR nurses, the prevalence rate of adverse reactions was 80.3%, and that of latex allergy was 9.8%. Common symptoms were rash, skin itching, dizziness, and eye itching. Atopics had more latex allergy than the non-atopics. There was no difference in the incidence rate of latex allergy among the five gloves by the prick test. But with the exposure test, ordinary gloves had a higher latex allergy incidence than hypoallergenic gloves.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Gloves, Surgical / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Korea / epidemiology
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Operating Room Nursing*
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires