Evaluation of cutaneous surface parameters in psoriatic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare cutaneous surface parameters in lesional and non-lesional skin of psoriatic patients and in corresponding areas of control subjects.


METHODS
Sixty-six psoriatic patients (of any grade of severity, with or without arthritis, without any therapy other than systemic biologic drugs) and 28 healthy controls were enrolled in this observational, case-control study. Exclusion criteria were current or past sebo-psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, pustular or erithrodermic psoriasis; treatment with immune-suppressive agents, retinoids, or ultraviolet phototherapy in the last 6 months; topical treatment in the last 2 weeks. Corneometry, sebumetry, and pHmetry were evaluated on non-lesional skin of forehead, cheek, chin and volar region of forearm, and on a psoriatic plaque (on elbow or neighboring areas); in controls, the same areas were considered.


RESULTS
Corneometry values were significantly lower in psoriatic plaques vs. elbows of controls. Sebumetry showed significantly higher values in non-lesional forearm skin and plaques of psoriatic patients vs. corresponding areas of controls. pH was significantly lower in all areas in psoriasis. No differences were found between patients treated or not with biologics and with or without arthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluating surface skin parameters in psoriasis is useful to better understand the etiopathogenic mechanism and could suggest new therapeutic approaches.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Cannavò
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
F
F
Guarneri
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
R
R
Giuffrida
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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E
Aragona
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
C
C
Guarneri
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012629:Sebum / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013499:Surface Properties; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible
corneometry; cutaneous surface; pHmetry; psoriasis; sebumetry