J Korean Acad Adult Nurs.  2009 Dec;21(6):678-690.

A Study on Skin Health Status and Related Factors of Skin Hydration in Institutionalized Elderly

• Won JS
• Han AK
• Lee JS

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to identify skin health status and the factors influencing skin hydration in the institutionalized elderly.
METHODS
The subjects were 139 elders living in 2 nursing homes in Seoul. Data for skin health status were collected by measurement of skin hydration, sebum, trans-epidermal water loss and pH using Corneometer, Sebumeter, Tewameter and Skin pH-meter on face, flank, arm and leg. Baseline data were collected by a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 12.0 program.
RESULTS
Skin hydration and pH were relatively low especially on arms and legs but sebum and TEWL were not low, relatively. There were significant differences in skin health status according to gender, smoking, alcohol intake, and bath cleanser. There was significant positive correlation between skin-hydration and bath-time, TEWL and bath-frequency. Smoking, bath-cleanser, bath-time. pH and gender were identified as the significant influencing factors of skin hydration.
CONCLUSION
Smoking, bath-time and pH need to be considered as important control factors for increasing skin health status in the institutionalized elderly.

Keyword

Skin; Health status; Institutionalized elderly

MeSH Terms

Aged
Arm
Baths
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Leg
Nursing Homes
Sebum
Skin
Smoke
Smoking
Surveys and Questionnaires
Smoke