Incontinence induces stratum corneum vulnerability and impairs the skin barrier function in the perianal region.
BACKGROUND
Incontinence leads to a reduced skin barrier function, while also increasing the risk of skin breakdown.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the perianal skin barrier function of elderly patients with or without incontinence.


METHODS
We compared the skin barrier function by investigating the skin hydration, the skin pH, the amount of ceramide and by making a dermatological skin inspection of the perianal region in patients with and without incontinence.


RESULTS
Twenty-one incontinent patients (70.0%) showed a glossy skin, which indicates impairment of the skin barrier while none of the patients in the continence group did so. In the incontinence group, those who had a glossy skin showed a significantly greater skin pH and total amount of ceramide than those with a normal skin (p = 0.0099, p = 0.0179, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that a glossy skin may be a useful indicator of a reduced perianal skin barrier function.
Nakagami
Gojiro
G
Department of Gerontological Nursing/Wound Care Management, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. gojiron-tky@umin.ac.jp
Sanada
Hiromi
H
Kitagawa
Atsuko
A
Tadaka
Etsuko
E
Maekawa
Takeo
T
Nagase
Takashi
T
Konya
Chizuko
C
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal; D001834:Body Water / Q000737:chemistry; D002518:Ceramides / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D010502:Perineum / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000502:physiology
D002518:Ceramides