Background: In some diabetic patients, the skin of the hands has a waxy appearance. Objective: To study subclinical skin stiffening in diabetic patients using a noninvasive, in vivo suction device measuring skin extensibility and elasticity. Skin thickness was also measured by high-resolution ultrasonography. Methods: Evaluations were made on the dorsum of the hands and on the volar aspect of the forearms. Results: In type 1 diabetic patients, the extensibility of skin was decreased while values of thickness and elasticity were increased. These alterations were most prominent on the hands. Similar modifications, although less pronounced, were also found in type 2 diabetic subjects. Conclusion: The reported biomechanical changes indicate the presence of subclinical skin stiffening in many patients with diabetes mellitus. Such noninvasive biometrological evaluations could be used for monitoring, rating and correlating some diabetes-associated disorders.

Keywords:
Aging, Diabetes, Elasticity, Mechanical properties, Ultrasound
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel
1996
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.