Abstract

Introduction: Although occupational asthma is a common occupational disease, periodic screening tests are not widely used for sensitivity to the agent.

Aim: To evaluate the levels of Latex Specific IgE, serum interleukin 4, 5, 8, 10, 13 together with respiratory functions and respiratory complaints of workers working in an enterprise processing rubber raw materials.

Material-Method: 108 workers (all male, average age 38) and control group (79% male, average age 40) were recruited from the enterprise producing automobile cords from rubber raw material. Latex-specific IgE, serum interleukin 4, 5, 8, 10, 13 measurements were made in all individuals, respiratory function tests and respiratory complaint questionnaire were applied.

Results : While the rate of the workers with a Specific Latex IgE level higher than> 0.10 kU / L was 12.3%, it was 6.5% in the control group (p> 0.05). The proportion of latex IgE> 0.10 was 20.8% in those with FEV1 / FVC <75% and 7.8% in those with FEV1 / FVC> 75% (p = 0.050). In those with latex level> 0.10, IL 4, 5, 10 and 13 levels were higher than those with Latex levels <0.10, but the difference was not statistically significant. Serum IL 13 level was significantly higher in those without sputum production complaint than workers with sputum complaint (3.50 vs 2.91 pg / ml, p = 0.044). Serum IL 13 level was higher in workers with wheezing complaints than those without wheezing, but the difference was not significant (3.64 vs 3.30 pg / ml, p> 0.05).

Conclusion: Evaluation of susceptible individuals who are candidates for latex-induced occupational asthma in terms of workplace change is possible by periodic screening of workers with Latex Specific IgE or skin test.