Changing frequency of thiuram allergy in healthcare workers with hand dermatitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Healthcare workers (clinical, allied/paramedical professions and ancillary workers) may have prolonged contact with natural rubber latex devices, particularly in the form of natural rubber latex gloves.

OBJECTIVES:

To examine the changing frequency of type IV thiuram allergy in healthcare workers with hand dermatitis over a 16-year period.

METHODS:

During the study period, 450 healthcare workers (352 women and 98 men) with hand dermatitis were investigated, and their patch test results were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS:

On average, a thiuram-positive patch test was noted in 12% of individuals, with a peak incidence of 27% of the patients patch tested in 1994. Comparison of results between 1983--88 and 1989--93 showed a statistically significant increase in the incidence of thiuram-positive patch tests (odds ratio 2.55, 95% confidence interval 1.25--5.20, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

We have documented a changing frequency of thiuram-positive patch tests in healthcare workers with hand dermatitis since 1983. This may reflect changes in degree of exposure to thiurams in medical gloves during this period.

• Authors: K L Gibbon, J P McFadden, R J Rycroft, J S Ross, S Chinn, I R White
• Journal: The British journal of dermatology (Br J Dermatol) Vol. 144 Issue 2 Pg. 347-50 (Feb 2001) ISSN: 0007-0963 [Print] England
• PMID: 11251570 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Thiram

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Dermatitis, Allergic Contact (epidemiology, etiology)
• Dermatitis, Occupational (epidemiology, etiology)
• Female
• Gloves, Protective (adverse effects)
• Hand Dermatoses (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Health Personnel
• Humans
• Incidence
• Latex Hypersensitivity (epidemiology, etiology)
• London (epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patch Tests
• Retrospective Studies
• Thiram (adverse effects)