Incontinence induces stratum corneum vulnerability and impairs the skin barrier function in the perianal region

Background: Incontinence leads to a reduced skin barrier function, while also increasing the risk of skin breakdown. Aim: To investigate the perianal skin barrier function of elderly patients with or without incontinence. Methods: We compared the skin barrier function by investigating the skin hydration, the skin pH, the amount of ceramide and by making a dermatological skin inspection of the perianal region in patients with and without incontinence. Results: Twenty-one incontinent patients (70.0%) showed a glossy skin, which indicates impairment of the skin barrier while none of the patients in the continence group did so. In the incontinence group, those who had a glossy skin showed a significantly greater skin pH and total amount of ceramide than those with a normal skin (p = 0.0099, p = 0.0179, respectively). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that a glossy skin may be a useful indicator of a reduced perianal skin barrier function. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.