Abstract

The reports of adverse reactions related to latex glove use increase worldwidely. There is no clear cause. The adverse reactions related to latex glove are reported variously from localized minimal to systemic anaphylaxis, even death. There is no report on latex glove hypersensitivity in Korea, but clinically we have heard the adverse reactions sporadically. Therefore this investigators survey operating room nurses and surgeons who are high risk groups. The study will be the basis on latex allergy. We can explore alternatives against latex glove allergy through the study. Data are collected 210 respondents(doctors, 147 ; nurses, 63) by the questionnaire from July 8 to September 22 in 1995 and analyzed by descriptive statistics. Conclusions are follows : (1) Incidence of adverse reaction related to latex glove use is total 41.0%(87 person), which include 35 nurses(55.6%) and 52 doctors(35.4%). (2) The relation between the incidence and exposure time is significant, those who are working in operating room more than 5 years have higher incidence(p=0.005). (3) The relation between the incidence and gender is significant, and the incidence in female is higher. (4) The atopic persons have more adverse reactions than the non-atopics(p=0.00005). (5) There is no relation between the incidence and disease history(p=0.37). (6) Common adverse reactions include itching(90.8%), rash(71.3%), dermatitis(52.9%), urticaria(35.6%), relatively rate adverse reactions include facial edema, dyspnea, wheezing, fainting and so on. (7) In surgical general gloves the adverse reaction incidence is 41.0%(87/210), in hypoallergenic glove, 47.8(11/23). In conclusion, the adverse reaction incidence related to surgical latex glove are 41.0%, gloves used in this study are 2 types, to which persons having adverse reactions are 11.