Fluhr, J.W., Miteva, M., Primavera, G., Ziemer, M., Elsner, P., & Berardesca, E. (2007). Functional assessment of a skin care system in patients on chemotherapy. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 20, 253–259.
DOI Link
Study Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness of concomitant treatment with a cleanser (slight acidic washing) and a slightly acidic emollient (both pH 5.5) in improving symptoms of xerosis in patients receiving chemotherapy.
Sample Characteristics
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The study reported on a sample of 30 adult patients.
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Patients had gastrointestinal, breast, prostate, and lung cancers, and lymphoma; were receiving chemotherapy; and were experiencing dry, sensitive skin.
Setting
This study was conducted at Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, Germany, and at Istituto Dermatologico San Gallicano in Rome, Italy.
Study Design
This was a controlled, monocentric, three-week treatment trial.
Measurement Instruments/Methods
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Patients were assessed on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 with four electronic devices.
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Skin pH-Meter® PH 900 to assess skin pH
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Tewameter® TM 300 to measure transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
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Corneometer® CM 825 to measure capecitabine-based skin hydration
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Sebumeter® SM 815 to measure casual surface sebum content
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Physician clinical assessment included the following.
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Estimation of dryness symptoms with an original scale from 0 to 4
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Visual assessment of perceived skin change with a 10-point scale
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Physicians and patients gave subjective assessment on a questionnaire about the tolerability of both products.
Results
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A significant reduction in TEWL (p < 0.007) was noted over time on the treated forearm.
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Compared to baseline, sebum content hydration values increased significantly until the end of the study (p < 0.001).
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Casual skin surface lipids increased significantly on the treated forearm (p < 0.03).
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No significant difference existed in pH values on both the treated and untreated forearms.
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For the physicians' clinical assessment, a progressive improvement of all skin symptoms was recorded in the course of treatment, whereas the lowest values (e.g., the best results) were obtained on the last examination day (p < 0.001).
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The visual assessment of the perceived change in skin state showed a significant improvement over the course of the study.
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Both the physicians and patients considered the application of the treatment tolerable enough with a good cleansing effect, leaving a nice sensation after use.
Conclusions
Concomitant treatment with a cleanser (slight acidic washing) and a slightly acidic emollient (both pH 5.5) was effective in improving symptoms of xerosis in patients receiving chemotherapy.
Limitations
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The study was not randomized or double blinded.
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The study was funded by Sebapharma, whose products were used.