[en] Introduction: A few non-invasive biometrological methods are available for monitoring skin stiffening in systemic scleroderma. Among them, the Cutometer(R) is used for years by several clinical teams. Objectives: To revisit the microscopic structure of the dermal fibrous networks in scleroderma and the relationship with changes in viscoelasticity. Methods: The suction method delivered by the Cutometer(R) was applied following the progressive stress-vs-strain modality. Results: The test procedure was sensitive enough to document the initial progression steps of acroscleroderma. Four stages were thus identified including i) the incipient, ii) the progressive, iii) the overt, and iv) the regressive acroscleroderma. Conclusion: The non-invasive determination of skin biomechanical functions is relevant both in routine clinical practice and in antisclerotic drug development. It is complementary although not a substitute for the determination of selected serum biomarkers.
Disciplines :
Dermatology
Author, co-author :
PIERARD, Gérald ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Dermatopathologie
Hermanns-Lê, Trinh ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Dermatopathologie
Franchimont, Claudine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques
Language :
English
Title :
Scleroderma: skin stiffness assessment using the stress-strain relationship under progressive suction.
Publication date :
2013
Journal title :
Expert Opinion on Medical Diagnostics
ISSN :
1753-0059
eISSN :
1753-0067
Publisher :
Informa Healthcare, United Kingdom
Volume :
7
Issue :
2
Pages :
119-25
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Name of the research project :
Fonds d'Investissement de la Recherche Scientifique
Funders :
CHU Liège - Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège [BE]
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