Characteristics of latex medical glove usage among health personnel and association with latex allergy
Keywords:
extractable protein, latex gloves, latex allergy, healthcare, health personnelAbstract
Latex medical gloves have been shown to induce Type I hypersensitivity latex allergy (latex allergy symptoms), with significant contributing factors including personal factors and glove usage characteristics. However, studies from Thailand and Southeast Asia are relatively limited. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of glove usage among health personnel associated with the development of latex allergy symptoms. This study was a cross-sectional analytical epidemiological study utilizing secondary data, including 45 health personnel with and 343 without probable symptoms of latex allergy. Data were collected from databases of self-administered questionnaires, which included variables on glove usage characteristics and latex allergy symptoms. The analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. The results indicated that the group with probable symptoms of latex allergy had a significantly higher proportion of health personnel with a history of hand dermatitis (p < 0.001), atopic diseases (p = 0.004), and usage of gloves with high extractable protein weight (p = 0.002) compared to those without probable symptoms of latex allergy. Personal factors and glove usage characteristics associated with probable symptoms of latex allergy included: atopic diseases (Adjusted OR = 2.34, 95% CI:1.03, 5.35), history of hand dermatitis (Adjusted OR = 2.66, 95% CI:1.27, 5.57), use of powdered latex gloves (Adjusted OR = 2.31, 95% CI:1.61, 8.71), and use of gloves with high extractable protein weight (Adjusted OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.08, 4.58). The analysis of factors contributing to definite symptoms of latex allergy revealed that gloves with high extractable protein weight were statistically significantly associated with definite symptoms of latex allergy (Adjusted OR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.98, 6.20). When the analysis was conducted only on the subgroup without a history of dermatitis, gloves with high extractable protein weight remained statistically significantly associated with definite symptoms of latex allergy (Adjusted OR = 5.67, 95% CI: 1.59, 37.0). In conclusion, the main factor contributing to the development of latex hypersensitivity symptoms among tertiary-level health personnel in hospitals was the utilization of high extractable protein weight medical latex gloves.
References
Wu M, McIntosh J, Liu J. Current prevalence rate of latex allergy: why it remains a problem? J Occup Health 2016;58:138–44. doi:10.1539/joh.15-0275-RA.
Nucera E, Aruanno A, Rizzi A, et al. Latex allergy: current status and future perspectives. J Asthma Allergy 2020;13:385–98. doi:10.2147/JAA.S242058.
Chaiear N, Jindawong B, Boonsawas W, et al. Glove allergy and sensitization to natural rubber latex among nursing staff at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand. J Med Assoc Thai 2006;89:368-76.
Korniewicz DM, Chookaew N, Brown J, et al. Impact of converting to powder-free gloves. Decreasing the symptoms of latex exposure in operating room personnel. AAOHN J 2005;53:111–6. doi:10.1177/216507990505300310.
Tarlo SM, Easty A, Eubanks K, et al. Outcomes of a natural rubber latex control program in an Ontario teaching hospital. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;108:628–33. doi:10.1067/mai.2001.118792.
Vangveeravong M, Sirikul J, Daengsuwan T. Latex allergy in dental students: a cross-sectional study. J Med Assoc Thai 2011;94 (Suppl 3):S1-8.
McCormack B, Cameron M, Biel L. Latex sensitivity: an occupational health strategic plan. AAOHN J 1995;43:190–6. doi:10.1177/216507999504300405.
Ngamchokwathana C, Chaiear N, Sakdapipanich J, et al. Reduced protein levels in latex gloves may play an alternative approach to lowering latex sensitization risks among health workers; a cross-sectional analytical study. J Occup Med Toxicol 2024;19:21. doi:10.1186/s12995-024-00420-x.
Luengtongkam C. Association between extractable protein levels in natural rubber latex gloves and latex sensitization among hospital personnel [Thesis]. Khon Kaen: Graduate School, Khon Kaen University; 2025.
Supapvanich C, Povey AC, de Vocht F. Evaluation of proteins in natural rubber latex gloves and pulmonary function amongst female nurses in two tertiary hospitals in Southern, Thailand. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol 2022;40:240–6. doi: 10.12932/AP-310319-0530.
Charous BL, Tarlo SM, Charous MA, et al. Natural rubber latex allergy in the occupational setting. Methods 2002;27:15–21. doi: 10.1016/S1046-2023(02)00047-6.
Wudy AE, Negro C, Adami A, et al. Atopic status and latex sensitization in a cohort of 1,628 students of health care faculties. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2017;118:603–7. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2017.03.002.
Kelly KJ, Sussman G. Latex allergy: where are we now and how did we get there? J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2017;5:1212–6. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.029.
Brehler R, Voss W, Müller S. Glove powder affects skin roughness, one parameter of skin irritation. Contact Dermatitis 1998;39:227–30. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1998.tb05914.x.
Raulf M. Current state of occupational latex allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2020;20:112–6. doi:10.1097/ACI.0000000000000611.
Baur X. Measurement of airborne latex allergens. Methods 2002;27:59–62. doi:10.1016/S1046-2023(02)00052-X.
Supapvanich C, Povey AC, de Vocht F. Respiratory and dermal symptoms in Thai nurses using latex products. Occup Med (Lond). 2013;63:425–8. doi:10.1093/occmed/kqt068.
Vandenplas O, Raulf M. Occupational latex allergy: the current state of affairs. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2017;17:14. doi:10.1007/s11882-017-0682-5.
Hamilton RG. Latex allergy: epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis [Internet]. UpToDate. 2025 [cited 2025 Mar 11]. Available from: https://kku.world/rb3fy1.
Raulf‐Heimsoth M, Rihs H ‐P., Rozynek P, et al. Quantitative analysis of immunoglobulin E reactivity profiles in patients allergic or sensitized to natural rubber latex (hevea brasiliensis). Clin Experimental Allergy 2007;37:1657–67. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02833.x.
Nowakowska-Świrta E, Wiszniewska M, Walusiak-Skorupa J. Allergen-specific IgE to recombinant latex allergens in occupational allergy diagnostics. J Occup Health 2019;61:378–86. doi:10.1002/1348-9585.12064.
Korniewicz DM, Chookaew N, El-Masri M, et al. Conversion to low-protein, powder-free surgical gloves: is it worth the cost? AAOHN J 2005;53:388–93. doi:10.1177/216507990505300904.
Supapvanich C, Povey AC, De Vocht F. Latex sensitization and risk factors in female nurses in Thai governmental hospitals. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2014;27:93–103. doi:10.2478/s13382-014-0230-7.
Bhutta RA. Type 1 hypersensitivity reaction, anaphylaxis, atopy, and treatment [Internet]. n.d. [cited 2025 Mar 11]. Available from: https://kku.world/c5va93.
Garabrant DH, Roth HD, Parsad R, et al. Latex sensitization in health care workers and in the US general population. Am J Epidemiol 2001;153:515–22. doi:10.1093/aje/153.6.515.
Buss ZS, Fröde TS. Latex allergen sensitization and risk factors due to glove use by health care workers at public health units in Florianopolis, Brazil. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2007;17:27–33.
Boonchai W, Sirikudta W, Kasemsarn P. Characteristics of latex glove usage and glove-related symptoms among health care workers in each work sector of a university hospital. J Med Assoc Thai 2017;100:559–64.
Ngamchokwathana C, Chaiear N, Sakdapipanich J, et al. A study of contact dermatitis among operating theatre health personnel following the ban of powdered latex gloves. J Med Health Sci 2022;29(2):32-4.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
