The effect of age and sex of normal volunteers upon the transcutaneous oxygen tension in the lower limb.

The transcutaneous oxygen monitor, developed as a non-invasive method of measuring arterial oxygen tension in neonates, has recently been applied to measurement of skin ischaemia in peripheral vascular disease. Since peripheral vascular disease occurs in older age groups and more commonly in men than women, the effects of age and sex on the transcutaneous oxygen tension in the lower limb have been investigated. Two hundred and five normal volunteers of both sexes with a wide age range had measurements taken at a fixed point in the lower limb under similar conditions. The results showed no significant correlation between either the age or sex of the individual when compared to the transcutaneous oxygen tension.