Atopic dermatitis: correlation between non‐damaged skin barrier function and disease activity

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic dermatosis, predominant in childhood, characterized by pruritus and eczematous-type lesions with xerosis as the prominent clinical sign. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the correlation between biophysical measurements of skin barrier function and other assessment criteria of clinical severity according to Rajka and Langeland's criteria. METHODS: Biophysical measurements [transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and corneometry] were obtained from 120 patients with the diagnosis of AD. Serum levels of IgE were also evaluated. RESULTS: A significant correlation between corneometry, TEWL, and clinical severity of AD was found. Data showed an inverse correlation between corneometry, TEWL, and AD severity, and a significant difference (P < 0.001) between mean of corneometry and TEWL and AD severity (mild, moderate, and severe). As for IgE levels, corneometry had significant negative correlation, in contrast with TEWL, which showed a significant positive correlation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Biophysical measurements of skin barrier in non-lesional skin of AD may work as an evaluation factor for AD severity.