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Impact of systemic sclerosis on foot skin hydration: A case-control study

Título :
Impact of systemic sclerosis on foot skin hydration: A case-control study
Autor :
Gracia Sánchez, Alba  
García Cano, Laura  
Ramos-Petersen, Laura  
Gijon-Nogueron, Gabriel  
Zúnica García, Sara  
Chicharro-Luna, Esther  
Editor :
Elsevier
Departamento:
Departamentos de la UMH::Ciencias del Comportamiento y salud
Fecha de publicación:
2025-08
URI :
https://hdl.handle.net/11000/37559
Resumen :
Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a connective tissue disease characterized by excessive collagen production, leading to microvascular damage, fibrosis, and dysfunction of the skin and internal organs. The skin of the foot, due to its weight-bearing function and exposure to mechanical forces, may undergo alterations, contributing to the development of ulcers and other podiatric complications. However, little is known about foot skin hydration in patients with SSc. This study aims to assess the hydration level of the stratum corneum in the foot skin of patients with SSc. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Clinical Rheumatology Unit of the Regional University Hospital of M´alaga (Spain). Participants included 47 patients diagnosed with SSc and 52 age- and sexmatched controls. Hydration measurements were performed at ten points on the foot using the Corneometer 825® device. Sociodemographic and clinical data, including smoking habits, were also collected. Results: No significant differences were found in total foot hydration between the SSc and control groups (p = 0.254 for the right foot, p = 0.835 for the left foot), although a trend towards lower hydration was observed in the feet of affected patients. Differences were identified in specific areas of the foot, with lower hydration levels in the arch and the medial and lateral heel regions. In the medial arch of the right foot, the SSc group showed significantly lower hydration (p = 0.006). No significant associations were found with age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, or water intake, but an association with smoking habits was observed in SSc patients; non-smokers had higher foot hydration levels compared to former and current smokers (p = 0.06). Conclusion: Patients with systemic sclerosis present reduced hydration in specific areas of the foot, particularly in the medial arch. Smoking may negatively influence foot skin hydration. Further research is needed to explore these findings and their implications for podiatric care in patients with SSc.
Palabras clave/Materias:
Systemic sclerosis
Skin hydration
Foot, corneometer
Stratum corneum hydration
Scleroderma
Área de conocimiento :
CDU: Ciencias aplicadas: Medicina
Tipo de documento :
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Derechos de acceso:
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtv.2025.100929
Publicado en:
Journal of Tissue Viability, Volume 34, Issue 3, August 2025, 100929
Aparece en las colecciones:
Artículos Ciencias del Comportamiento y Salud



Creative Commons La licencia se describe como: Atribución-NonComercial-NoDerivada 4.0 Internacional.