Flow mediated skin fluorescence to assess microcirculation in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Abstract

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease with severe itching. Particular attention is dedicated to the coexistence of AD with diseases of the cardiovascular system. Since the earliest manifestation of cardiovascular disease is microvascular endothelium dysfunction, an attempt was made to assess the skin microcirculation.

Aim: The work aims to analyse the assessment of skin microcirculation in patients with atopic dermatitis based on changes of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence from the epidermis of the forearm measured with the flow mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF) technique.

Material and methods: Thirteen patients with AD and eleven healthy individuals participated in the study. Changes in NADH fluorescence were measured by the FMSF technique on the forearm in response to blockage and release of blood flow. Results are presented as a maximum ischemic response (IR_max and IR_index,), hyperaemic response (HR_max and HR_index) or hypoxia sensitivity (HS).

Results: The analysed FMSF parameters: IR_max, IR_index, HR_max and HR_index, HS were not significantly lower in AD patients compared with the control group. There was no association between disease severity and NADH fluorescence.

Conclusions: The association of AD with cardiovascular disease is multifactorial. The basis of these connections is still being investigated. Microvascular endothelial dysfunction may be one but not the only mechanism responsible for the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with AD.