Assessment of skin barrier function in podoconiosis: measurement of stratum corneum hydration and transepidermal water loss.
Br J Dermatol
; 168(3): 550-4, 2013 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23445314
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Podoconiosis is a common cause of lymphoedema in barefoot workers in Ethiopia and other countries. It has severe consequences for patients' physical function, quality of life and economic status.AIMS:
To investigate stratum corneum (SC) hydration and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in patients with podoconiosis compared with controls.METHODS:
In total, 55 patients and 20 controls were recruited. For each study subject, SC and TEWL measurements were taken, along with foot and lower leg circumferences. Measurements were compared between the patient and control groups.RESULTS:
Foot circumferences tended to be higher in patients with podoconiosis, with the mean footleg circumference ratio being 1·19 (95% confidence interval 1·11-1·28) times that for controls (P = 0·001). There was no detectable difference between patients and controls in TEWL values (P > 0·05); however, SC hydration was significantly lower in patients vs. controls for the foot (P = 0·004) and lower leg (P = 0·046) sites.CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with podoconiosis have significantly lower SC hydration in the skin of their lower legs and feet than controls, which may lead to cracking and splitting, and increased risk of lymphoedema and infection.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Pérdida Insensible de Agua
/
Elefantiasis
/
Epidermis
Tipo de estudio:
Observational_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Child
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Br J Dermatol
Año:
2013
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido