Aquagenic Wrinkling of the Palms in an Adult Cystic Fibrosis Population

Abstract

Background: Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms (AWP) is a rare condition characterised by the development of oedema and excessive wrinkling of the palms following exposure to water. It has frequently been associated with cystic fibrosis (CF). Early reports of AWP have only been case reports or small case series; there has only been one reported prevalence study of AWP in a CF population. Objective: To determine the incidence and characteristics of AWP in the adult CF population in Northern Ireland. Methods: 105 CF patients were interviewed. The patients were asked whether they noticed excess wrinkling of the hands when exposed to water. If they answered ‘yes’, further questions were asked regarding clinical characteristics. The atopic status, CF genotype and drug history were recorded for each patient. Formal testing of 7 patients was carried out. Results: Out of the 105 patients who were interviewed, 43 (41%) described AWP. Of the 43 patients with AWP, 20 were male and 23 were female. There was no association of AWP with genotype, atopy or concomitant drug intake. Conclusion: AWP appears to have an equal sex incidence, and the high number of cases in the population studied would suggest that this condition is underreported.