Non-invasive analysis of skin mechanical properties in patients with lamellar ichthyosis.

BACKGROUND

Reliable methods for the quantitative evaluation of skin of patients with ichthyosis are critically needed. Our purpose was to evaluate the biomechanical parameters of skin in a cohort of patients with clinically diagnosed lamellar ichthyosis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Twenty-two patients diagnosed with lamellar ichthyosis were studied. Ichthyosis plaques located in upper distal limbs were assayed, and a nearby anatomical region without plaques from the same patient was employed as control. Skin biomechanical properties were studied through a non-invasive device (Cutometer® MPA 580).

RESULTS

Ichthyosis plaques had higher values for the Uf-Ua parameter and lower values for the Ua/Uf, Ur/Ue, and Ur/Uf parameters. Adults and children showed similar statistical differences. There were no significant differences in data from men, whereas in women differences for all of the parameters were found. There was a significant decrease in the hydration and an increase in melanin index in the ichthyosis plaques.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that analysis of parameters Uf-Ua, Ua/Uf, Ur/Ue, Ur/Uf, hydration, and melanin index could be employed for quantitative monitoring of skin. Therefore, the non-invasive method applied may be suitable for evaluation of skin of patients with ichthyosis in response to medical treatments.