Latexallergi kan forebygges

Udskiftning af pudrede latexhandsker med handsker, der dels er upudrede, dels har et lavt indhold af frit latexprotein, har vist sig at være effektivt til at forebygge erhvervsbetinget latexallergi. Dette opmuntrende budskab er at finde i en netop udkommet oversigtsartikel i et stort arbejdsmedicinsk tidsskrift. Se abstract nedenfor.

Forfatterne konkluderer at dette budskab også bør spredes udenfor sundhedsvæsenet fx til fødevareindustrien, der også anvender mange latexhandsker.

Primary prevention of latex related sensitisation and occupational asthma: a sys-tematic review.

LaMontagne AD, Radi S, Elder DS, Abramson MJ, Sim M.
Occup Environ Med. 2006 May;63(5):359-64. 2006

METHODS: Eight primary prevention intervention studies on natural rubber latex (NRL) published since 1990 were identified and reviewed. This is the largest evidence base of primary prevention studies for any occupational asthmagen. RESULTS: Review of this small and largely observational evidence base supports the following evidence statement: Substitution of powdered latex gloves with low protein powder-free NRL gloves or latex-free gloves greatly reduces NRL aeroallergens, NRL sensitisation, and NRL-asthma in healthcare workers. Evidence in support of this statement is ranked SIGN level 2+, referring to well conducted case-control or cohort studies with a low risk of confounding, bias, or chance and a moderate probability that the relationship is causal. CONCLU-SION: Substitution of powdered latex gloves with low protein powder-free NRL gloves or latex-free gloves promises benefits to both workers health and cost and human resource savings for em-ployers. This message should be broadly disseminated beyond the hospital sector to include other healthcare settings (such as aged care facilities) as well as food service and other industries where latex gloves might be used.