RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Prevalence of latex allergy in medical students is not known. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of self-reported latex allergy and associated factors in medical students. METHODS: Cross-sectional, analytical study of students with or without self-reported latex allergy. By means of a structured questionnaire, past personal and family history of allergic disease, time and frequency of exposure to latex gloves and symptoms after exposure to products or foods associated with latex allergy were inquired. Logistic regression models were carried out. RESULTS: Out of 854 subjects, 431 (50.5%) were females. Median age was 21 years. Overall prevalence of latex allergy was 4.3% (95% CI = 3.1 to 5.9). Associated risk factors were age (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.79), personal history of atopic dermatitis (OR = 7.32; 95% CI = 3.14 to 17.08), use of gloves ≥ 15/week (OR = 2.59; 95% CI = 1.17 to 5.76), use of latex products (OR = 5.76; 95% CI = 2.15 to 15.49) and fruit allergy (OR = 3.24; 95% CI = 1.27 t o8.27). CONCLUSION: Four out of a hundred students reported latex allergy. Age, personal history of atopic dermatitis, higher frequency of exposure to latex gloves and history of fruit allergy were risk factors for self-report latex allergy.
Antecedentes: La prevalencia de la alergia al látex se desconoce en los estudiantes de medicina. Objetivo: Determinar prevalencia y factores asociados con autorreporte de alergia al látex en estudiantes de medicina. Métodos: Estudio transversal de estudiantes con o sin autorreporte de alergia al látex. Mediante cuestionario estructurado se indagó historia personal y familiar de enfermedad alérgica; tiempo y frecuencia de exposición a guantes de látex y síntomas tras la exposición a productos o alimentos relacionados con alergia al látex. Se realizaron modelos de regresión logística. Resultados: De 854 sujetos, 431 (50.5 %) fueron mujeres. La mediana de edad fue de 21 años. La prevalencia global de alergia al látex fue 4.3 % (IC 95 % = 3.1 a 5.9). Los factores de riesgo relacionados fueron edad (RM = 1.37; IC 95 % = 1.05 a 1.79), historia personal de dermatitis atópica (RM = 7.32; IC 95 % = 3.14 a 17.08), uso de guantes ≥ 15/semana (RM = 2.59; IC 95 % = 1.17 a 5.76), uso de productos con látex (RM = 5.76; IC 95 % = 2.15 a 15.49) y alergia a frutas (RM = 3.24; IC 95 % = 1.27 a 8.27). Conclusión: Cuatro de cada 100 estudiantes reportaron alergia al látex. La edad, la historia personal de dermatitis atópica, la mayor frecuencia de exposición a guantes de látex y antecedente de alergia a frutos fueron factores de riesgo.