Allergy to latex in spina bifida: a multivariate study of associated factors in 100 consecutive patients.

Background: Latex allergy is quite frequent in patients who have undergone multiple operations, such as children with spina bifida.

Objective: This investigation was carried to study the prevalence and risk factors associated with latex allergy in patients with spina bifida.

Methods: We studied 100 consecutive patients by skin prick tests and quantified specific IgE to latex with commercial antigens.

Results: Twenty-nine patients were sensitized to latex, although 14 (49%) did not report symptoms. There was a statistical association (p < 0.05) between sensitization and age, number of operations, number of cystourethrograms, antecedents of intermittent bladder catheterization, personal antecedents of atopy, the presence of a ventricular-peritoneal shunt, and levels of serum total IgE, the latter both in absolute units per milliliter and relative z-units. Through a forward stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, the number of operations, serum total IgE in z-units, the presence of a ventricular-peritoneal shunt, and personal antecedents of atopy were selected as the synergistic variables that most contributed to identification of sensitized patients. The mathematical model so developed had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.95. Alternative models always retained two variables, the number of operations and levels of IgE.

Conclusion: Allergy to latex is mainly related to the number of operations and to the atopic diathesis of patients.