[Consensus Document. Update on latex exposure and use of gloves in Italian health care settings].

This consensus document was prepared by an Italian working group including occupational health professionals involved for many years in the management of glove- and latex-related problems in health care settings. The aim of this document was to address the most significant technical, epidemiological, clinical, environmental and prevention problems related to the use of gloves and latex. The group's recommendations are based on scientific evidence and practical experience but they cannot be considered as final.

[Latex and synthetic polymers gloves: protective effectiveness against biological risk].

Background: The quick evolution of knowledge about latex and, especially, its effectiveness as protection against biological risks on one hand, and, on the other hand, as trigger of cutaneous, respiratory and sistemic allergic diseases, required a marked distinction between conditions in which latex is necessary and conditions in which latex could be substituted by syntetic polymers.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to verify protective effectiveness of gloves made of syntetic polymers against biological risks compared with latex gloves which until now have been considered as the best protection.

Methods: Literature review.

[Cardiopathy caused by physical or chemical agents].

Background: Occupational cardiovascular diseases do not possess any specific clinical and physiopathogenetic features.

Objectives: The paper summarizes the results of the most recent studies on chemical and physical cardiovascular risks, and assesses the current degree of risk for occupational cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Scientific literature and medline databases on this topic were carefully considered.

Gemcitabine plus paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced breast cancer.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of gemcitabine and paclitaxel as first-line treatment in advanced breast cancer.

Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed metastatic or metastatic plus locally advanced breast cancer received gemcitabine 1,200 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) on day 1 every 21 days for 8 cycles.

Results: From December 1999 to August 2001, 45 patients, with a median age of 53.