Prevalence of latex sensitivity and allergy among physicians of a residency program in a children's hospital of Buenos Aires

Introduction. International publications estimate a 7 %-17 % latex sensitization (LS) prevalence among health care workers, but values in Argentina are unknown. Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of latex sensitization and allergy among residents of a children's hospital using the immediate-reading prick test and to assess associated risk factors in this population. Population and methods. Cross-sectional study. Residents, trainers, and Chief residents of the Departments of Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Surgery and Intensive Care were included between June and October 2017. All of them were administered a questionnaire (assessing atopic diseases and other risk factors) and underwent the immediate-reading prick test. Total and latex-specific immunoglobulin E levels were determined in a subgroup of individuals (first- and fourth-year residents, surgical specialties, and intensive care). Results. A total of 113 participants were included. LS prevalence was 7.96 % (95 % confidence interval: 3.70-14.58); 4 participants were allergic to latex. A history of latex-related symptoms (LRS) was significantly associated with a positive result in the immediate-reading prick test (p = 0.0196; odds ratio: 6.13; 95 % confidence interval: 1.44-26.04). There was no association between LS and the year of the residency program. Conclusions. The observed LS prevalence was 7.9 %. There was a significant relation between a history of LRS and a positive result in the immediate-reading prick test.