Psoriasis is a prolonged inflammation of the skin. The causes of psoriasis are still unclear. The treatment options depend on the severity of the disease and may include topical agents (such as topically-applied drugs...Psoriasis is a prolonged inflammation of the skin. The causes of psoriasis are still unclear. The treatment options depend on the severity of the disease and may include topical agents (such as topically-applied drugs, sulfur spa therapy, phototherapy) and systemic agents (orally or percutaneously administered). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of the skin in psoriatic plaques before and after treatment with sulfur therapy (Thermae Luigiane, Guardia Piemontese—Acquappesa, Italy), in comparison with the skin of healthy subjects. The study has been performed on 20 psoriatic plaques (10 on upper arm, 10 on upper back) and 10 control subjects (healthy males aged 47 ± 15). The efficacy of sulfur therapy was observed through the evaluation of the biomechanical properties of the skin. Investigation was performed with a Skin meter, an instrument useful to determine the physiological parameters by the means of a suction method, a non-invasive in vivo suction. The apparatus was equipped with 2-mm measuring probe. Unlike the optical method, in our test the color and/or distribution of the skin micro-circulation didn’t interfere with the measurement. The evaluation of mechanical properties of the psoriatic plaques after treatment showed a significative recovery of the parameters analysed, with an increase of the elasticity parameters (Ur, Ua, Ua/Uf, Ur/Uf) and a decrease of the viscoelasticity module (Uv/Ue).展开更多
文摘Psoriasis is a prolonged inflammation of the skin. The causes of psoriasis are still unclear. The treatment options depend on the severity of the disease and may include topical agents (such as topically-applied drugs, sulfur spa therapy, phototherapy) and systemic agents (orally or percutaneously administered). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties of the skin in psoriatic plaques before and after treatment with sulfur therapy (Thermae Luigiane, Guardia Piemontese—Acquappesa, Italy), in comparison with the skin of healthy subjects. The study has been performed on 20 psoriatic plaques (10 on upper arm, 10 on upper back) and 10 control subjects (healthy males aged 47 ± 15). The efficacy of sulfur therapy was observed through the evaluation of the biomechanical properties of the skin. Investigation was performed with a Skin meter, an instrument useful to determine the physiological parameters by the means of a suction method, a non-invasive in vivo suction. The apparatus was equipped with 2-mm measuring probe. Unlike the optical method, in our test the color and/or distribution of the skin micro-circulation didn’t interfere with the measurement. The evaluation of mechanical properties of the psoriatic plaques after treatment showed a significative recovery of the parameters analysed, with an increase of the elasticity parameters (Ur, Ua, Ua/Uf, Ur/Uf) and a decrease of the viscoelasticity module (Uv/Ue).
