210 Association of epidermal dysfunction and constipation in the elderly

Abstract

Chronologically aged humans display epidermal dysfunction and high prevalence of constipation. Whether epidermal dysfunction and constipation are associated is unknown. In the present study, we compared the epidermal function in subjects with and without constipation. A total of 577 aged subjects, including 169 males and 408 females, were enrolled in this study. Epidermal biophysical properties, including transdermal water loss (TEWL) rates and stratum corneum hydration, on the flexor forearm, were measured with a Gpskin device, while skin surface pH was measured with a portable pH meter. Our results showed that the stratum corneum hydration levels were 14% lower in subjects with constipation than that without constipation. Moreover, both TEWL rates and skin surface pH were significantly higher in subjects with constipation than that without constipation (p<0.05). Furthermore, permeability barrier recovery was delayed in subjects with constipation in comparison with those without constipation. In contrast, epidermal biophysical properties were comparable in subjects with or without gastric disorders. Interestingly, twice-daily applications of an emollient for 6 months improved epidermal functions, such as stratum corneum hydration, TEWL rates and barrier recovery rates, along with marked reductions in constipation scores. These results suggest that epidermal dysfunction plays a pathogenic role in aging-associated constipation, and improvements in epidermal function can alleviate aging-associated constipation.