Correlation between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and severity of clinical symptoms in cats with atopic dermatitis.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether there is a correlation between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the severity of skin lesions in cats with feline atopic dermatitis (AD). The severity of symptoms was determined by using 2 scoring systems for clinically assessing the skin lesions in cats: Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) and Feline Extent and Severity Index (FeDESI). Such a correlation between TEWL and systems for clinically evaluating symptoms has already been shown in humans and dogs. Measurements were taken in 18 European Shorthair cats: 11 females and 7 males. Scores were calculated using SCORFAD and FeDESI and TEWL was measured in 7 areas of the body. Correlations were calculated between SCORFAD and TEWL and between FeDESI and TEWL for each body region and the average TEWL was also calculated with each system. Positive correlations were found between SCORFAD and TEWL in 3 of the examined areas: thorax (r = 0.44, P = 0.02); axilla (r = 0.39, P = 0.04); and forelimb (r = 0.55, P = 0.02). A correlation was also found between the average TEWL and SCORFAD (r = 0.41, P = 0.03). In the case of FeDESI, a correlation was found in the forelimb (r = 0.53, P = 0.02), but no correlation was found between FeDESI and the average TEWL. The results obtained showed that TEWL can be used as an additional tool in clinically assessing atopic dermatitis in cats, although it seems to be less useful in cats than in humans.

Les maladies allergéniques de la peau sont un problème très fréquent chez les chats. Les deux systèmes d'évaluation Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) et Feline Extent and Severity Index (FeDESI) utilisent l'évaluation clinique de la gravité des symptômes cliniques. Chez les humains et les chiens, il existe une corrélation entre la gravité des symptômes cliniques et le Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL). Le but de l'étude était de démontrer si cette corrélation était observée chez les chats. Des mesures ont été réalisées dans 18 chats européens à courtes poils: 11 femelles, 7 mâles, SCORFAD et FeDESI ont été calculées, les mesures TEWL ont été effectuées dans 7 régions corporelles. Les corrélations entre SCORFAD et FeDESI et TEWL ont été calculées pour chaque région corporelle et entre la TEWL moyenne. Il y avait des corrélations positives entre TEWL et SCORFAD sur la poitrine: (r = 0,44, P = 0,02), alisselle (r = 0,39, P = 0,04) et avant bras (r = 0,55, P = 0,02). La corrélation entre TEWL moyen et SCORFAD a été montrée (r = 0,41, P = 0,03). FeDESI a été trouvé sur l'avant-bras (r = 0,53, P = 0,02). Les résultats montrent que TEWL est un paramètre qui peut être utilisé comme outil supplémentaire dans l'évaluation clinique de la dermatite atopique chez les chats. La pertinence de ce paramètre semble être plus faible chez le chat que chez les humains.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Evaluation of the correlation between Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis and Feline Extent and Severity Index and skin hydration in atopic cats.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of the severity of clinical signs of cats with allergic skin diseases has used two scoring systems: Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) and the Feline Extent and Severity Index (FeDESI). The integrity of the cutaneous barrier can also be evaluated by measuring skin hydration. A correlation between the clinical score and skin hydration has been observed in humans and dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). HYPOTHESIS: To demonstrate a correlation between the clinical score and skin hydration of cats affected with presumed AD. ANIMALS: European short hair cats (n = 18): 11 females and seven males with a confirmed diagnosis of AD. METHODS: SCORFAD and FeDESI scores were calculated and the measurements of skin hydration were assessed from seven body sites using corneometry. The correlation between the SCORFAD and FeDESI systems and skin hydration of each site, and the average skin hydration was calculated. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the SCORFAD score and skin hydration for the axilla, thorax and forelimb; for FeDESI and axilla and lumbar sites. There was a negative correlation between the FeDESI and skin hydration for the pinna (r = -0.47). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Measurements of skin hydration could be a useful tool for the evaluation of allergic cats. There is limited evidence of any useful correlation between clinical scoring systems and measurements of hydration. The pinna may be a suitable region for the assessment of skin barrier function in normal and allergic cats.

Assessment of a correlation between Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-03) and selected biophysical skin measures (skin hydration, pH, and erythema intensity) in dogs with naturally occurring atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin disease in dogs. The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of a correlation between biophysical skin variables: skin hydration (SH), skin pH, and erythema intensity measured in 10 different body regions and both total Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI-03) and CADESI measured in a given region (CADESI L). The study was conducted using 33 dogs with atopic dermatitis. The assessment of the biophysical variables was done in 10 body regions: the lumbar region, right axillary fossa, right inguinal region, ventral abdominal region, right lateral thorax region, internal surface of the auricle, interdigital region of right forelimb, cheek, bridge of nose, and lateral site of antebrachum. Positive correlations were found between SH and CADESI L for the following regions: the inguinal region (r = 0.73) and the interdigital region (r = 0.82), as well as between total CADESI and SH on digital region (r = 0.52). Also, positive correlations were reported for skin pH and CADESI L in the lumbar region (r = 0.57), the right lateral thorax region (r = 0.40), and the lateral antebrachum (r = 0.35). Positive correlations were found in the interdigital region between erythema intensity and the total CADESI-03 (r = 0.60) as well as the CADESI L (r = 0.7). The results obtained suggest that it may be possible to use skin hydration, pH, and erythema intensity to assess the severity of skin lesion but positive correlation was only found in < 13.3% of possible correlations and usage of these measures in dogs is limited.

La dermatite atopique est une maladie fréquente chez les chiens. Le but de notre étude était d'étudier la corrélation entre la probabilité d'occurrence des paramètres biophysiques de la peau : l'hydratation de l'épiderme (SH), pH de la peau et de la gravité de l'érythème mesurée à 10 zones différentes du corps et à la fois totale CADESI-03 ainsi que Cadesi calculée pour une zone donnée (Cadesi L). Des études ont été effectuées dans 33 chiens atopiques. Évaluation des paramètres biophysiques a été réalisée dans 10 régions du corps : la région lombaire, la fosse axillaire droite, la région inguinale droite, la région ventrale, la région latérale droite du thorax, la surface interne de l'oreille, région interdigitale de la patte avant droite, joue, l'arête du nez et de la surface latérale de l'avant-bras. Corrélation positive entre SH et Cadesi L a été détecté sur l'environnement suivantes : la région inguinale (r = 0,73), et interdigital (r = 0,82), ainsi qu'entre le total Cadesi ­ 03 et SH dans l'espace interdigital (r = 0,52). Une corrélation positive a également été trouvé entre la peau et la érythrocytaire Cadesi L dans la région lombaire (r = 0,57), la zone de la poitrine à droite (r = 0,40), l'avant-bras latéral (r = 0,35). Des corrélations positives ont également été trouvés dans l'espace interdigital entre la sévérité de l'érythème et totale Cadesi 03 (r = 0,60) et Cadesi L (r = 0,7). Les résultats obtenus suggèrent qu'il existe une possibilité d'essai de l'hydratation de la peau, et la sévérité de la réaction de la peau dans l'évaluation de la sévérité de l'érythème gravité retour sur la peau, mais les corrélations positives ont été trouvées uniquement dans < 13,3 % de la corrélation possible, ce qui signifie que l'utilisation de ces paramètres chez les chiens est limité. (Traduit par les auteurs).

Assessment of the relationship between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and severity of clinical signs (CADESI-03) in atopic dogs.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic skin disease of dogs. Objective documentation of disease severity is important for the assessment of responses to therapeutic interventions. One common means of assessing the severity of clinical signs is the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI)-03. In addition, studies of the biophysical parameters of the skin suggest that assessment of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) may also have value for estimation of disease severity. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to verify the correlation between TEWL and CADESI-03 measured at 10 different body sites. ANIMALS: Twenty-six dogs with AD (age range 1-7 years, median age 3 years). METHODS: The assessment was performed at the following 10 body sites: the lumbar, inguinal, ventral abdominal, interdigital regions, axillary fossa, lateral thorax, lateral aspect of the antebrachium, concave surface of the auricle, cheek and bridge of the nose. RESULTS: Positive correlations were found between TEWL and the total CADESI-03 for the auricle (r = 0.59), bridge of nose (r = 0.62) and interdigital skin (r = 0.47). Positive correlations were also observed between TEWL and local CADESI-03 scores for the axillary fossa (r = 0.73), inguinal region (r = 0.55) and interdigital skin (r = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The results indicate that it may be possible to use measurement of TEWL to assess the severity of skin lesions, but a positive correlation was found in only five of 10 body regions examined.

The examination of biophysical parameters of skin (transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and pH value) in different body regions of normal cats of both sexes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and skin pH in normal cats. Twenty shorthaired European cats of both sexes were examined in the study. Measurements were taken from five different sites: the lumbar region, the axillary fossa, the inguinal region, the ventral abdominal region and the left thoracic region. In each of the regions, TEWL, skin hydration and skin pH were measured. The highest TEWL value was observed in the axillary fossa (18.22g/h/m(2)) and the lowest in the lumbar region (10.53g/h/m(2)). The highest skin hydration was found in the inguinal region (18.29CU) and the lowest in the lumbar region (4.62CU). The highest skin pH was observed in the inguinal region (6.64) and the lowest in the lumbar region (6.39). Statistically significant differences in TEWL were observed between the lumbar region and the left side of the thorax region (P=0.016), the axillary fossa (P=0.0004), the ventral region (P=0.005), and the inguinal region (P=0.009). There were significant differences in skin hydration between the lumbar region and the left thorax (P=0.000003), the axillary fossa (P=0.002), the ventral abdomen (P=0.03), and the inguinal region (P=0.0003) as well as between the thorax and the ventral abdomen (P=0.005). TEWL was higher in females (15g/h/m(2)) than in males (4.57g/h/m(2)). Skin hydration was higher in females (13.89CU) than in males (12.28CU). Significant differences were not found between males and females for TEWL and skin hydration. Skin pH was higher in males (6.94) than in females (6.54), which was significant (P=0.004).