Completed

NCT Number: NCT01591993

Determination of Sensitive Skin and Its Biophysical Response in a Latin-American Population

Sensitive skin syndrome is a frequent self-diagnosed entity that has not been previously described in a Latin-american population. One hypothesis to its development is an alteration of the barrier function of the skin. The aim of the study is to describe the frequency of sensitive skin in a mexican population detected through the lactic acid test, and to explore its response through biophysical measures (colorimetry, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and capacitance). The prevalence of this syndrome in studied populations is approximately 50%. Considering racial skin differences, the investigators would expect at least a 20% prevalence.

For this purpose, the investigators would need a minimum of 243 healthy volunteers, 18 years or older, with previous informed consent, to whom the lactic acid test will be performed. The investigators will record any unpleasant sensation graded in a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of 10 points, colorimetry, TEWL and capacitance before the test and at 3, 5, 8 and 10 minutes after the lactic acid test.

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Key information

Conditions

Skin Irritancy Tests

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

Dermatology Department. Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto"

San Luis Potosí City, San Luis Potosí, 78210, Mexico

About this study

Sensitive skin is defined as the presence of itching, stinging, burning or other unpleasant sensations due to external factors (such as light, heat, cold, air, cosmetic products, soap, water and even emotional and hormonal factors). By definition it is a subjective syndrome, where there are no clinical signs, making it a self-diagnosed entity. Previous community-based studies, mostly in caucasians, have found a high prevalence in general population. Nonetheless, to date there are only a few studies and with a small amount of subjects that have applied an objective test to identify this syndrome, and even fewer have explored the possible alterations associated to it.

The investigators aim to describe the frequency in a hispanic population, and further explore the presence of alterations in the barrier function through measurement of TEWL and capacitance, as well as possible subclinical erythema (a* axis of colorimetry) or variations due to skin pigmentation (L* axis).

The volunteers in the study will be randomized to receive in one nasolabial fold 10% lactic acid solution, and placebo (0.9% saline solution) in the other to act as the control. The investigators will be grading any unpleasant sensation in a 10-point scale (VAS) at 4 different time intervals: 3, 5, 8 and 10 minutes. The investigators will be measuring colorimetry (ChromaMeter CR-300 (Minolta, Japan)), TEWL (Evaporimeter DermaLab (Cortex Technology, Denmark)) and capacitance (Corneometer DermaLab Moisture Module (Cortex Technology, Denmark)) before performing the test, and at 3, 5, 8 and 10 minutes after it. These time intervals have been previously determined according to previous reports where the maximum intensity of the response is obtained in the first 5 minutes, and after 10 minutes the response gradually diminishes.

Statistical analysis will be performed with square chi test, t-test or U-Mann-Whitney, according to the parametric or non-parametric distribution of the values. All tests will be performed using the JMP software 8.0 (Cary, NC, USA) at 95% of confidence, statistical significance at 5% with 80% power.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Healthy volunteers
Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Pregnancy
Known allergy to lactic acid
Presence of any dermatoses in the nasolabial folds
Topical o systemic drugs in the previous 4 weeks

Treatment and study plan

10% lactic acid test

Procedure

To each subject, 10% lactic acid is applied to one nasolabial fold. This will be performed under humidity, temperature and pH control to avoid influence of these variables in the result of the test.

Placebo

Procedure

To each subject, 0.9% saline solution will be applied to the contralateral nasolabial fold. This will be performed under humidity, temperature and pH control to avoid influence of these variables in the result of the test.

Primary outcomes

Sensitivity to lactic acid

Time frame: 10 minutes

Identify and measure the presence of any unpleasant sensation after the application of 10% lactic acid test to the nasolabial fold. Will serve to identify subjects with sensitive skin.

Secondary outcomes

Erythema

Time frame: 0, 3, 5, 8 and 10 minutes

Measure the presence of erythema through colorimetry (a* axis).
Skin pigmentation

Time frame: 0 minutes

Measure the melanin angle (through L* axis) before performing the test.
Transepidermal water loss

Time frame: 0, 3, 5, 8 and 10 minutes

Quantify the change in TEWL by evaporimetry in grams per squared meter per hour, as an indirect measure of skin barrier disfunction.
Capacitance

Time frame: 0, 3, 5, 8, 10 minutes

Quantify the change in capacitance by corneometry, as an indirect measure of skin barrier disfunction.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosí

Other

Collaborators

Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto"

Registry information

Official study title

Determination of Sensitive Skin in a Mexican Population by Lactic Acid Testing and Its Analysis Through Biophysical Measures

Important dates

Study start: 2011
Primary completion: 2012
Study completion: 2012
First posted: May 4, 2012
Registry last updated: Nov 29, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.