Decrease in the rate of sensitization and clinical allergy to natural rubber latex

• Published in: Contact dermatitis Vol. 73; no. 1; pp. 21 - 28
• Main Authors: Blaabjerg, Michelle S. B., Andersen, Klaus E., Bindslev-Jensen, Carsten, Mortz, Charlotte G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-07-2015; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Allergens - immunology; Allergies; allergy; Betula - immunology; birch pollen sensitization; Comorbidity; Cross Reactions; Denmark - epidemiology; Dentists; Dermatitis, Occupational - epidemiology; Dermatitis, Occupational - immunology; Female; food allergy; Food Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Food Hypersensitivity - immunology; Humans; Immunoglobulin E - immunology; Latex Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Latex Hypersensitivity - immunology; Male; Middle Aged; natural rubber latex; Pollen - immunology; prevalence; Retrospective Studies; sensitization; Skin Tests; Denmark; natural rubber latex; prevalence; allergy; sensitization; food allergy; birch pollen sensitization
• ISSN: 0105-1873; 1600-0536
• DOI: 10.1111/cod.12386

Summary
Background
In the 1980s, a striking increase in natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy was seen. Since then, many measures have been taken to prevent NRL allergy.
Objectives
To investigate changes in the prevalence of NRL sensitization/clinical NRL allergy over time from 2002 to 2013.
Methods
All patients prick tested for NRL at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy Centre, Odense University Hospital were included in this study (n = 8580). In NRL‐sensitized patients, the clinical relevance was evaluated for NRL. Furthermore, concomitant positive prick test results for birch pollen were recorded, together with food‐related symptoms and sensitization in a subgroup of patients.
Results
The prevalence of NRL sensitization declined from 6.1% in 2002–2005 to 1.9% in 2006–2009, and then to 1.2% in 2010–2013 (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of clinical NRL allergy declined from 1.3% in 2002–2005 to 0.5–0.6% in 2006–2013 (p < 0.004). Among the NRL‐sensitized patients, 64% had a concomitant positive prick test reaction to birch pollen, and 52% had a history of reaction to oral intake of related fruits or vegetables.
Conclusion
Our study showed a statistically significant decline in the number of patients sensitized/clinically allergic to NRL. Many of the NRL‐sensitized patients without clinical allergy to NRL had concomitant birch pollen sensitization, and reported food‐related symptoms.