title: Efficacy of an emollient dermoprotective cream in the treatment of elderly skin affected by xerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Xerosis cutis is a frequent condition in the elderly and the topical treatments are aimed to maintain a balance between the physiological components of the epidermis and an optimal moisturization. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a dermoprotective cream, glycerol and paraffin-based, in the treatment of individuals affected by senile xerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients were recruited at the Professional Dermatology and Allergology Outpatient Clinic of the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute of Rome, between 1st January 2013 and 30th September 2014. To assess the efficacy of the cream, two different areas of treatment were identified in each patient upper the limbs. All patients were staged at baseline (T0) and evaluated after 14 days (T1) and 28 days (T2) of topical treatment, using five clinical parameters: scaling, sensation of skin tightness, presence of fissuring and excoriations from scratching and erythema. The itching degree was also evaluated using a 10-steps analogical scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients with xerosis, 25 with a severe and 25 with a moderate form, over 60 were recruited and evaluated. Median age was 65 years (IQR=61-70). After 28 day of topical administration of the cream, the 54.0% of patients showed the absence of signs of xerosis, the 44.0% a mild form and the 2.0% (one patient) a moderate form. Consistently, a progressive and significative reduction of itching and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and an improvement in skin hydration was also measured. A good profile of tolerability and no episodes of undesirable side effects, was also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The topical daily use of a cream glycerol and paraffin-based, seem to able to control the xerosis in elderly patients, with a significant reduction of all associated signs and symptoms. Further additional data should be collected to better confirm the role of the topical treatment in the control of disease.
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Clinical Dermatology, Dermatological Institute, San Gallicano (IRCCS) Rome, Italy - cristaudo@ifo.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cristaudo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Francesconi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ambrifi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cavallotti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sperduti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011537:Pruritus / Q000188:drug therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D063465:Skin Cream / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients; D010577:Petrolatum; D008899:Mineral Oil; D005990:Glycerol