Investigating causal relationships between obesity and skin barrier function in a multi-ethnic Asian general population cohort
Authors' conclusion
We establish strong association of BMI with TEWL and skin pH, with MR results suggestive of a possible causal relationship of obesity with TEWL. It emphasizes the potential impact of obesity on skin barrier function and therefore opportunity for primary prevention.
Study context
- Population
- Multi-ethnic Asian general population cohort
- Participants
- 9,990 participants
- Exposure
- Body mass index (BMI) and skin physiology measurements
- Outcome
- Association of BMI with skin physiology, per 1 kg/m² increase in BMI, adjusted for age, gender and ethnicity
Methodological detailspopulation cohort, multi-ethnic
- Population cohort
- Multi-ethnic
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increase
0.221%
95%CI 0.144–0.298P = 2.82E-08
Skin moisture decrease
0.336%
95%CI 0.148–0.524P = 4.66E-04
Skin pH decrease
0.184%
95%CI 0.144–0.224P = 1.36E-19
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
BMI with TEWL and pH after adjusting for known confounders
- TEWL
- Beta 0.354; 95%CI: 0.189-0.520
- pH
- Beta −0.170; 95%CI: −0.253 to −0.087
- Mendelian Randomization (MR) experiments further supported a possible causal relationship of BMI with TEWL
Additional MR: socioeconomic factors and comorbidities of obesity with TEWL
- None of the socioeconomic factors and comorbidities of obesity investigated is likely to have a possible causal relationship with TEWL
Original publication
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