Outcome of Occupational Latex Allergy—Work Ability and Quality of Life

Albert Nienhaus, Kathrin Kromark, Monika Raulf-Heimsoth, Vera van Kampen and Rolf Merget

PLOS ONE, 2008, vol. 3, issue 10, 1-5

Abstract: Objective: The quality of life (QOL) and work ability of health care workers allergic to natural rubber latex (NRL) were assessed after implementation of regulations on powder-free NRL gloves in Germany. Methods: 196 HCW with reported NRL allergy answered a questionnaire (response rate 58%) containing the Work Ability Index (WAI), Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: 63.2% still had NRL-related symptoms during the last 6 month. However on a scale from 0 to 10, the intensity of NRL-related symptoms decreased from 8.5 before to 2.3 after implementation of regulations on powder-free NRL gloves. A higher number of subjects were able to avoid NRL in the private than in the work environment (85% vs. 61%). NRL-related symptoms decreased and WAI increased with successful avoidance of NRL at workplace (b = 0.23, p = 0.003). QOL was only little affected by NRL allergy (mean: MiniAQLQ = 6.0; DLQI = 4.1). Conclusions: Although there was improvement after implementation of powder-free NRL gloves, there is still a considerable number of HCW with NRL-related symptoms. Further investigations on latex avoidance and the cause of persisiting allergic symptoms in HCW with NRL allergy are therefore needed.

Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0003459

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003459

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