Aging Cohort Analysis IDs Predictors of Stronger Epidermal Barrier Function

Key Takeaways

• Older age, female sex, Black race, and higher BMI were associated with at least one marker of stronger skin barrier function in a population-based aging cohort.
• Female and Black participants demonstrated better dynamic barrier function, while Black participants also showed greater barrier integrity.
• Proteomic analysis suggested participants with stronger barrier function and lower systemic inflammation had higher expression of proteins linked to barrier composition and injury response.

A large population-based analysis from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging identified several demographic factors associated with stronger skin barrier function, according to findings presented by Katrina Abuabara, MD, MSCE, and colleagues.

The cross-sectional study evaluated 286 adults aged 32 to 97 years using multiple measures of epidermal barrier performance, including baseline transepidermal water loss (TEWL), barrier integrity, dynamic barrier function, and barrier recovery following tape stripping. Investigators used multivariable analyses to assess relationships between participant characteristics and barrier outcomes.

Older age was associated with improved dynamic barrier function (β = -0.071; P = 0.035) and lower baseline barrier permeability (β = -0.045; P = 0.018). Female participants demonstrated stronger dynamic barrier function (β = -2.028; P = 0.010) and enhanced barrier recovery (β = 13.216; P = 0.001) compared with male participants. Black participants had better dynamic barrier function (β = -2.956; P = 0.006) and greater barrier integrity (β = 6.794; P < 0.001), while higher body mass index was associated with improved barrier integrity (β = 0.289; P = 0.033).

A sub-analysis of tape-strip protein expression from 20 participants found that protein families involved in barrier composition and response to epidermal injury were more highly expressed among individuals with above-median barrier function and below-median C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.01).

The authors noted that prior studies evaluating demographic influences on skin barrier function have produced conflicting findings. The current analysis adds population-level data suggesting that age, sex, race, and BMI may each contribute differently to epidermal barrier performance and recovery.