Characterization of skin barrier defects using infrared spectroscopy in patients with atopic dermatitis

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by skin barrier defects that are often measured by biophysical tools that observe the functional properties of the stratum corneum (SC).

Objectives To employ in vivo infrared spectroscopy alongside biophysical measurements to analyse changes in the chemical composition of the SC in relation to AD severity.

Methods We conducted an observational cross-sectional cohort study where attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy measurements were collected on the forearm alongside surface pH, capacitance, erythema and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), combined with tape stripping, in a cohort of 75 participants (55 patients with AD stratified by phenotypic severity and 20 healthy controls). Common FLG variant alleles were genotyped.

Results Reduced hydration, elevated TEWL and redness were all associated with greater AD severity. Spectral analysis showed a reduction in 1465 cm–1 (full width half maximum) and 1340 cm–1 peak areas, indicative of less orthorhombic lipid ordering and reduced carboxylate functional groups, which correlated with clinical severity (lipid structure r = –0.59, carboxylate peak area r = –0.50).

Conclusions ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is a suitable tool for the characterization of structural skin barrier defects in AD and has potential as a clinical tool for directing individual treatment based on chemical structural deficiencies.