Koyano Y, Nakagami G, Iizaka S, Minematsu T, Noguchi H, Tamai N, Mugita Y, Kitamura A, Tabata K, Abe M, Murayama R, Sugama J, Sanada H, et al.
International wound journal. Date of publication 2016 Apr 1;volume 13(2):189-97.
1. Int Wound J. 2016 Apr;13(2):189-97. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12251. Epub 2014 Mar 28.
Exploring the prevalence of skin tears and skin properties related to skin tears
in elderly patients at a long-term medical facility in Japan.
Koyano Y(1), Nakagami G(1), Iizaka S(1), Minematsu T(1), Noguchi H(2), Tamai
N(1), Mugita Y(1), Kitamura A(1), Tabata K(3), Abe M(1)(4), Murayama R(5), Sugama
J(6), Sanada H(1).
Author information:
(1)Department of Gerontological Nursing/Wound Care Management, Graduate School of
Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
(2)Department of Life Support Technology, Graduate School of Medicine, The
University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
(3)Sengi Hospital, Ishikawa, Japan.
(4)Sapporo Skin Clinic, Hokkaido, Japan.
(5)Department of Advanced Nursing Technology, Graduate School of Medicine, The
University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
(6)Wellness Promotion Science Center, Institute of Medical Pharmaceutical and
Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan.
The identification of appropriate skin tear prevention guidelines for the elderly
requires clinicians to focus on local risk factors such as structural alterations
of the epidermis and dermis related to skin tears. The aim of this
cross-sectional study is to explore the prevalence of skin tears and to explore
skin properties related to skin tears in elderly Japanese patients at a long-term
medical facility. After doing the prevalence study, 18 participants with skin
tears and 18 without were recruited and an evaluation of their skin properties
using 20-MHz ultrasonography, skin blotting and also Corneometer CM-825,
Skin-pH-meterPH905, VapoMeter, Moisture Meter-D and CutometerMPA580 was
undertaken. A total of 410 patients were examined, the median age was 87 years
and 73·2% were women. The prevalence of skin tears was 3·9%, and 50% of skin
tears occurred on the dorsal forearm. The changes in skin properties associated
with skin tears included increased low-echogenic pixels (LEP) by 20-MHz
ultrasonography, decreased type IV collagen and matrix metalloproteinase-2, and
increased tumour necrosis factor-α by skin blotting. In conclusion, this study
suggests that increased dermal LEP, including solar elastosis, may represent a
risk factor for skin tears; this indicates that skin tear risk factors might not
only represent chronological ageing but also photoageing.
© 2014 The Authors. International Wound Journal © 2014 Medicalhelplines.com Inc
and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
DOI: 10.1111/iwj.12251
PMID: 24674027 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
