Skin properties associated with skin tears in older adults: A case-control study

The world population is growing rapidly and skin problems such as skin tears (STs) are more common in aging skin due to changes in the epidermis and dermis. Identification of ageing related skin properties, which are risk factors for STs, is essential for the development of ST prevention protocols.

The aim of this study was to reveal the skin properties related to epidermal function and dermal associated with STs.

A prospective case-control study was conducted with a sample of 36 older adults, 18 participants with ST and 18 participants without ST, in two elderly care centers. Tewameter TM 210 was used to measure transepidermal water loss, the Sebumeter SM810 was used to measure sebum, and Cutometer Dual MPA 580 was used to measure skin viscoelasticity (R0-R9). The differences of skin properties between groups were analyzed using the independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.

The case group had a mean age of 77,17 ± 9,7 and the control group had a mean age of 75,33 ± 6,8. It was determined that there were more ecchymosis (p < 0.000), hematoma (p = 0.008), and ST history (p = 0.001) in the case group. Older adults in the case group were more frail than the control group (p = 0.044). Regarding the score of the skin properties, the case group showed that the TEWL levels of the older adults in the case group were lower (p = 0.031) compared to the control groups. There was a significant difference between the groups and R0, R2, R5, and R7. While R0 was higher in the case group, R2, R5, and R7 were lower than the control group.

Older adults with ST showed differences in skin properties compared to those without ST, especially transepidermal water loss, and viscoelasticity (R0, R2, R5, R7). The results of this study suggest that some changes in skin properties may be a risk factor for STs.