Frailty and body mass index are associated with biophysical properties of the skin in community-dwelling older adults.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the association of frailty and body mass index (BMI) with biophysical properties of the skin in community-dwelling older people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a suburban Japanese city. Older adults aged ≥65 years and participating in a health checkup program were recruited (n = 128). Stratum corneum hydration, clinical manifestations of dry skin, skin elasticity and condition of the dermis (as measured by ultrasonography) were evaluated on the volar forearm. Frailty phenotype and BMI were also evaluated.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 74.5 years, and 96.1% were women. Skin thickness was significantly decreased in frail participants compared with non-frail participants in an age-adjusted multivariate model (p = 0.009). Frail participants showed significantly lower skin elasticity values than non-frail participants in a univariate analysis (p = 0.024), but this was not significant in the multivariate model. In participants with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 , clinical manifestations of dry skin were significantly decreased compared with BMI <21.5 kg/m2 (p = 0.002). Participants with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and with 21.5 ≤ BMI <25 kg/m2 showed significantly higher skin elasticity values than participants with BMI <21.5 kg/m2 (p = 0.014 and p = 0.042, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Frailty was associated with decreased skin thickness and decreased skin elasticity partially via the influence of chronological aging. Low body mass was associated with increased xerosis manifestations and decreased skin elasticity in community-dwelling older adults.