K Aalto-Korte1. 1. Department of Dermatology, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Active dermatitis causes a disturbance in skin barrier function. This can be evaluated by the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone. OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate changes in skin barrier function during treatment of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Nine patients with widespread atopic dermatitis were studied longitudinally by measuring the severity of the dermatitis and TEWL at intervals of 1 to 3 days. Percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone was measured at entry and during treatment. RESULTS: At entry, both TEWL and percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone were elevated. Four to six days later, a significant decline was observed in both variables, indicating rapid improvement in skin barrier function. Individual changes in TEWL correlated with the changes in the systemic absorption of hydrocortisone. CONCLUSION: TEWL reflects changes in the systemic absorption of topical hydrocortisone during treatment of atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND: Active dermatitis causes a disturbance in skin barrier function. This can be evaluated by the measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone. OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate changes in skin barrier function during treatment of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: Nine patients with widespread atopic dermatitis were studied longitudinally by measuring the severity of the dermatitis and TEWL at intervals of 1 to 3 days. Percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone was measured at entry and during treatment. RESULTS: At entry, both TEWL and percutaneous absorption of hydrocortisone were elevated. Four to six days later, a significant decline was observed in both variables, indicating rapid improvement in skin barrier function. Individual changes in TEWL correlated with the changes in the systemic absorption of hydrocortisone. CONCLUSION: TEWL reflects changes in the systemic absorption of topical hydrocortisone during treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Authors: Michael D Howell; Byung Eui Kim; Peisong Gao; Audrey V Grant; Mark Boguniewicz; Anna Debenedetto; Lynda Schneider; Lisa A Beck; Kathleen C Barnes; Donald Y M Leung Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2007-05-23 Impact factor: 10.793