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.
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 thiuramallergy 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.