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Anatomical variability of sub-epidermal moisture and its clinical implications

Anatomical variability of sub-epidermal moisture and its clinical implications
Anatomical variability of sub-epidermal moisture and its clinical implications

Background: Technologies have been developed to monitor changes in dermal oedema, indicative of the early signs of pressure ulcers. However, there is limited information on the effects of regional differences in tissue morphology on these sub-epidermal moisture (SEM) parameters. This study was designed to investigate the absolute SEM readings across different anatomical sites using a commercial device. Methods: Twenty-four healthy participants were recruited to evaluate basal SEM values at different bony prominences, sampled by an experienced operator. Results: Distinct differences were observed in unloaded SEM values across different anatomical sites, notably between the upper and lower extremities. A high degree of variability was observed in particular sites, such as the heels. Moreover, SEM values at certain locations revealed significant relationships with age, BMI and gender (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed a high level of variability between and within anatomical sites in a healthy cohort of participants. Determining the changes in local skin and sub-dermal tissue status using SEM may require consideration of both site specific and individual demographic factors, with further research needed in cohorts at risk of pressure ulcers.

Chronic wounds, Pressure ulcers, Skin damage, Skin response variability, Sub-epidermal moisture
0965-206X
434-438
Jayabal, Hemalatha
8f2b053c-b614-4af2-b332-8ee861ab75f6
Bates Jensen, Barbara
8a7e0a70-45b1-4b5d-9653-770af325b352
Abiakam, Nkemjika
26818cc2-758e-4fa2-b1c3-8fef0ae82c4a
Worsley, Peter
6d33aee3-ef43-468d-aef6-86d190de6756
Bader, Daniel
9884d4f6-2607-4d48-bf0c-62bdcc0d1dbf
Jayabal, Hemalatha
8f2b053c-b614-4af2-b332-8ee861ab75f6
Bates Jensen, Barbara
8a7e0a70-45b1-4b5d-9653-770af325b352
Abiakam, Nkemjika
26818cc2-758e-4fa2-b1c3-8fef0ae82c4a
Worsley, Peter
6d33aee3-ef43-468d-aef6-86d190de6756
Bader, Daniel
9884d4f6-2607-4d48-bf0c-62bdcc0d1dbf

Jayabal, Hemalatha, Bates Jensen, Barbara, Abiakam, Nkemjika, Worsley, Peter and Bader, Daniel (2021) Anatomical variability of sub-epidermal moisture and its clinical implications. Journal of Tissue Viability, 30 (3), 434-438. (doi:10.1016/j.jtv.2021.04.003).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Background: Technologies have been developed to monitor changes in dermal oedema, indicative of the early signs of pressure ulcers. However, there is limited information on the effects of regional differences in tissue morphology on these sub-epidermal moisture (SEM) parameters. This study was designed to investigate the absolute SEM readings across different anatomical sites using a commercial device. Methods: Twenty-four healthy participants were recruited to evaluate basal SEM values at different bony prominences, sampled by an experienced operator. Results: Distinct differences were observed in unloaded SEM values across different anatomical sites, notably between the upper and lower extremities. A high degree of variability was observed in particular sites, such as the heels. Moreover, SEM values at certain locations revealed significant relationships with age, BMI and gender (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed a high level of variability between and within anatomical sites in a healthy cohort of participants. Determining the changes in local skin and sub-dermal tissue status using SEM may require consideration of both site specific and individual demographic factors, with further research needed in cohorts at risk of pressure ulcers.

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Anatomical variability of subepidermal moisture and its clinical implications - Accepted Manuscript
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Accepted/In Press date: 15 April 2021
e-pub ahead of print date: 19 April 2021
Published date: August 2021
Additional Information: Acknowledgements The work was supported by the EPSRC-NIHR “Medical Device and Vulnerable Skin” Network and NetworkPLUS (Refs. EP/M000303/1 and EP/N02723X/1) and European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 811965 “STINTS - Skin Tissue Integrity under Shear”.
Keywords: Chronic wounds, Pressure ulcers, Skin damage, Skin response variability, Sub-epidermal moisture

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 448928
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/448928
ISSN: 0965-206X
PURE UUID: ac52a701-894b-4bb7-badf-38c1d7ddbb84
ORCID for Hemalatha Jayabal: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-4192-4464
ORCID for Peter Worsley: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0145-5042
ORCID for Daniel Bader: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-1208-3507

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Date deposited: 11 May 2021 16:30
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:15

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Contributors

Author: Hemalatha Jayabal ORCID iD
Author: Barbara Bates Jensen
Author: Nkemjika Abiakam
Author: Peter Worsley ORCID iD
Author: Daniel Bader ORCID iD

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