High-frequency ultrasonography of psoriatic skin: A non-invasive technique in the evaluation of the entire skin of patients with psoriasis: A pilot study

Introduction

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic, non-infectious, inflammatory disease, easily recognized by its clinical appearance (1). Inflammation, which is one of the weapons used by the immune system to fight an intruder, occurs at skin level, resulting in inflammation and thickening of the skin. This manifests clinically as patches of erythematous skin, covered in adherent, silvery scales. A genetic component to psoriasis has been identified; psoriasis is considered a multifactorial condition, where both the genetic predisposition and the environmental triggers (infections, certain medications, mental distress) must occur in a patient to lead to a clinical manifestation of the condition (2,3).

The disorder affects women and men of all ages, all nations, with a known prevalence of 2–3% in Western countries (2,4,5). The skin of the psoriasis plaques appears firmer and thickened in contrast to the skin that surrounds the lesion (1). This has been proved histologically in accordance to standard medical literature: until 1980, the emphasis was on alteration of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation (6). The main changes of skin histology are hyper-proliferation of keratinocytes in the intra-follicular epidermis and epidermal rete, which become elongated and descend into the dermis (2). The other alteration is related to vasodilatation developing enlarged and tortuous capillary circumferences in the dermis. Polymorphonuclear leucocytes and T lymphocytes, particularly Th1-type T cells [which produce interferon-γ (IFN-γ)], represent the inflammatory cell infiltration of the upper dermis (1). The differentiation of keratinocytes is widely modified in psoriasis. The accelerated process of hyper-proliferation can be distinguished as the ‘regenerative maturation’, similar to wound repair (5). Nowadays, studies emphasize that psoriasis seems to be a product of faulty interaction among the environmental factors, the epidermal cell which produces keratin and immune cells, leading to the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-17, IL-22, chemokines-activated leukocytes and T-cells. These modulate a continuous inflammatory process in the skin, which is fully reversible with appropriate therapy (7,8). Moreover, it is one of the most common chronic cutaneous diseases involving Th-1, Th17 and Th-22. This leads to the exacerbated multiplication of T-cells mentioned previously (9). Although it is an organ-specific autoimmune disease, like Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and juvenile-onset diabetes, psoriasis often associates with other systemic pathologies, such as cardiovascular disorders or metabolic syndrome. Concomitance of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis is relatively very rare, but it is invariably under discussion whether these disorders are immunopathology connected.

Determining histological changes in the traditional method, using a biopsy, is an invasive procedure, involving some risks to the patient (10). As such, this cannot be performed regularly for assessing the inflammatory state in disease evolution. Therefore, a non-invasive procedure is required for quantifying skin changes in patients with psoriasis (11). High-frequency ultrasound has brought forth a potential solution for monitoring cutaneous alteration. High-frequency ultrasonography (HF-USG) is a non-invasive method, offering objective measurements in real-time; it seems to fulfill the need for more accurate monitoring in psoriasis patients. Furthermore, there are no contraindications or limitations for applying this procedure (12,13).

Even though the histopathological and immunological background of psoriasis has been well detailed, the diagnosis of psoriasis is a clinical one, relying on the sites of predilection in which the lesions arise: knees, elbows, lower back and scalp. The severity of the disease is mainly measured with the help of a clinical scoring system such as the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), which integrates the severity of the erythema, induration, desquamation and percentage of affected area or Dermatology life Quality Index (DLQI), which quantifies the patients' quality of life (14,15). Clinical scores are a subjective measurement and there are no absolute criteria to appreciate, for instance, how red, thick or rough a plaque of psoriasis is. The assessment depends on the specialist's expertise bringing forward the issue of observer bias in applying the current clinical scores. The present study discusses the degree of inflammation in lesional skin compared to nonlesional skin, correlating the parameters obtained by HF-USG with potential trigger or risk factors such as smoking, sun exposure, treatment compliance, as well as unmodifiable factors (ethnicity, sex, and genetic traits).

Materials and methods

Patients

Twenty-seven patients with early onset disease or disease uncontrolled by conventional therapy were selected. The patients were questioned about age, sex, duration of disease, home environment, PASI score, history of psoriasis in their family, smoking habits and exposure to sun. Eight men (29.6%) and 19 women (70.4%) with active psoriasis plaques, without other associated pathologies were enrolled in this study. Measurements were performed before initiating or prior to updating psoriasis therapy. All subjects had received histological diagnosis confirming psoriasis vulgaris. Patients who did not have a positive histological diagnosis of psoriasis were excluded from the study.

The protocol and acceptance form were approved by the Ethics Committee of University of Medicine and Pharmacology ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ (Cluj-Napoca, Romania), and all patients gave an informed consent after a complete discussion of the procedures, techniques, applicability and benefits of the study.

Methods

The clinical severity of the psoriasis lesions was assessed using the PASI score, based on the extent of the lesion and its characteristics (erythema, thickness and scaling). We considered a PASI score under 10 to qualify as mild psoriasis, a score of 11 to 20 as moderate psoriasis and a score above 20 as severe psoriasis. One plaque which was representative for the subjects' lesions was chosen by the physician, on either the arms, calves, posterior thorax or abdomen of the patient. For each plaque, an apparently healthy, adjacent skin area was chosen to compare ultrasound images.

Skin ultrasound

The skin's examinations were performed using the DermaLab Skin analysis technology. The images were obtained manipulating a B-mode high-resolution ultrasound system using a 20-MHz center frequency transducer that supports acquired cross-sectional images of the skin up to 2.5 cm in depth. A drop of water was placed on the transductor, as a conductive medium, the resolution of the images being 60×200 µm. The transducer was positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the skin, in the center of the psoriasis plaque and compared closely to healthy skin of the same individual. For every patient, the images were analyzed by studying the subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB), collagen levels, dermal thickness and echo-intensity. The thickness of the dermal skin was calculated in micrometers based on a super A scan. Additionally, this scan type indicates the echo intensity, referring to the scale of skin damage. The SLEB thickness is measured in micrometers, related to inflammatory process and edema of the skin.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc Statistical Software (version 18.5; MedCalc Software BVBA, Ostend, Belgium). Continuous data are expressed using mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD), and nominal data are characterized by absolute and relative frequency. Comparison between groups was carried out using Students t-test and ANOVA followed by Tukeys post hoc test, whenever appropriate. Correlations between quantitative variables, like PASI clinical score or ultrasonography measurements, were verified using Pearson's correlation. P-value <0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference.

Results

The patients' age ranged between 11 and 62 years, with a mean of 35.89 years (±13.754). The average age of onset was 22 years, with variations ranging from 1 to 40 years. Current PASI score ranged from 3.6 to 36.2. The ultrasonographic acquisitions for lesional and nonlesional skin are available upon demand.

In 3 volunteer patients aged over 40, the SLEB was also present in the nonlesional images, as a consequence of skin aging. In few cases, undulation of the epidermis could be detected. The thickness of the skin in the entire group presenting psoriasis plaques was increased by a mean of 1,180±340 µm as compared to healthy skin, with an average of 16% (1.180 vs. 1.001 µm), while intensity on healthy skin was higher, with a percentage of 50% compared to normal skin.

Table I includes the full ultrasonographic parameters obtained; using Student's t-test, it was noted that skin thickness and skin intensity are strongly determined by the presence of the psoriasis lesion, with a P=0.038, respectively 0.001 for the population tested. Using the same test, we observed that there is no statistical correlation between age and SLEB, skin thickness and intensity for lesional skin or nonlesional skin.

Table I. The results of the imaging tests of the injured skin, as compared to the adjacent healthy skin.

Table I.

The results of the imaging tests of the injured skin, as compared to the adjacent healthy skin.

Variables	Psoriatic lesion	Healthy skin	P-value
Skin thickness (µm)	1.180±340	1.101±269	0.03
Intensity (µm)	25.81±12.03	64.63±30.86	0.01

Table II shows the correlations obtained between imaging parameters and sex. Addressing differences based on sex, the following were noted: For women lesional skin thickness is 21% lower than for men, while on nonlesional skin it appears 3% lower for women than for men. Intensity on lesional skin is 25% lower for women than for men, while on nonlesional areas it is 43% lower. With regards to the lesional images, the SLEB is similar for men vs. women, with a difference of 1% in favour of women. Applying Student's t-test, it is noted that skin thickness and intensity on plaques are influenced by the sex of the patient, while SLEB is not influenced. This can be explained due to the aftermath of hormonal influence, especially after menopause or ovariectomies, as decreased estrogen levels result in thinned skin, while estrogen therapy thickens the skin.

Table II. The ultrasonography results of the correlations between the imaging tests and sex.

Table II.

The ultrasonography results of the correlations between the imaging tests and sex.

	Sex
	Male		Female
Variables	Lesions	Healthy skin	Lesions	Healthy skin	P-value
Skin thickness (µm)	1.343±424	952±368	1111.3±284.1	1.022±224.1	0.1
Intensity (µm)	30.1±19.6	81.9±29.18	24±6.9	57.34±29.25	0.4
SLEB (µm)	238.25±99.22	0	239.58±101.64	0	0.9

[i] SLEB, sub-epidermal low echogenic band.

In respect to any differences based on home location (rural vs. urban), we noted that injured skin thickness is 10% higher for patients living in urban areas, whereas healthy, uninjured skin presents almost similar thickness, 1% in favor of the patients living in urban areas, regardless of the home environment of the patient. Intensity on affected skin is 22% higher in rural versus urban patients, while on healthy skin intensity is higher for urban patients compared to rural ones. SLEB is 14% higher for rural patients vs. urban ones; this was also confirmed by applying Student's t-test. The full parameters obtained are depicted in Table III.

Table III. The results regarding the correlation between the skin and home environment.

Table III.

The results regarding the correlation between the skin and home environment.

	Home environment
	Urban		Rural
Variables	Lesions	Healthy skin	Lesions	Healthy skin	P-value
Skin thickness (µm)	1216.6±383.94	998.84±319	1.092±199.5	1007.5±75.25	0.2
Intensity (µm)	24.21±12.64	69.21±33.25	29.62±10.14	53.76±22.44	0.2
SLEB (µm)	229.68±109.59	0	261.75±68.55	0	0.4

[i] SLEB, subepidermal low-echogenic band.

When dealing with family history of psoriasis, we noted that those with family history are predisposed to having thinner affected and healthy skin. The full results are available in Table IV.

Table IV. The results of the correlations assumed between the imaging tests and family history of patients diagnosed with psoriasis.

Table IV.

The results of the correlations assumed between the imaging tests and family history of patients diagnosed with psoriasis.

	Psoriasis family history
	Affirmative		Negative
Variables	Lesions	Healthy skin	Lesions	Healthy skin	P-value
Skin thickness (µm)	1045.91±219.91	978.82±86.93	1272.19±383	1016.94±346	0.06
Intensity (µm)	25.87±10.37	51.38±25.2	25.77±13.38	73.75±31.78	0.9
SLEB (µm)	241.45±69.72	0	237.63±117	0	0.9

[i] SLEB, sub-epidermal low echogenic band.

Considering the influence of smoking, we noted that skin thickness on lesional areas is 10% higher for smokers, while healthy skin is 3% thicker for non-smokers than for smokers. Echo-intensity for affected areas is 46% higher for non-smokers, while for healthy skin it is 6% lower, as opposed to smokers'. SLEB registered higher values by 10% in the non-smoker group (Table V).

Table V. Correlation between smoking and noted variables.

Table V.

Correlation between smoking and noted variables.

	Smoking habit
	Affirmative		Negative
Variables	Lesions	Healthy skin	Lesions	Healthy skin	P-value
Skin thickness (µm)	1280.25±275.08	984.25±156.78	1162.57±353.17	1004.39±284.65	0.5
Intensity (µm)	14.87±3.05	68.22±38.52	27.71±12.01	64.01±30.34	0.01
SLEB (µm)	220.25±64.59	0	242.48±104.59	0	0.6

[i] SLEB, sub-epidermal low echogenic band.

The influence of sun exposure results showed that skin thickness on lesional areas is 7% higher for those exposed, while healthy skin is 16% thicker for those exposed. Intensity on affected skin is 22% higher for those who are not exposed to the sun, while for healthy skin it is only 19% higher. SLEB is 12% higher for those who expose themselves to the sun versus those who do not (Table VI).

Table VI. The values obtain after correlating with sun exposure.

Table VI.

The values obtain after correlating with sun exposure.

	Sun exposure
	Affirmative		Negative
Variables	Lesions	Healthy skin	Lesions	Healthy skin	P-value
Skin thickness (µm)	1226.67±399.79	1121.33±254.25	1142.67±294.36	905.47±248	0.5
Intensity (µm)	23±9.6	58.45±24.85	28±13.55	69.58±35	0.2
SLEB (µm)	253.5±101.4	0	227.73±99	0	0.5

[i] SLEB, sub-epidermal low echogenic band.

Correlating treatment compliance and ultrasound measurements, it was observed that skin on affected areas is 3% thinner for those who undergo treatment and the intensity of lesional areas is 30% higher for those that do not. SLEB is 7% higher for those that are subjected to treatment, but this cannot be considered relevant, since the patients involved in this study did not follow proper treatment, therefore their psoriasis was uncontrolled, or the affection presented itself at its onset (Table VII).

Table VII. The results of the correlations assumed between the imaging tests and patient compliance in treatment.

Table VII.

The results of the correlations assumed between the imaging tests and patient compliance in treatment.

	Treatment compliance
	Affirmative		Negative
Variables	Lesions	Healthy skin	Lesions	Healthy skin	P-value
Skin thickness (µm)	1168.13±305.36	932.27±263.9	1194.83±394.06	1.087±260.47	0.8
Intensity (µm)	22.86±8.79	64.76±30.02	29.5±14.73	64.47±33.23	0.1
SLEB (µm)	246.2±118.2	0	230.4±72.1	0	0.6

[i] SLEB, sub-epidermal low echogenic band.

Patients that underwent biological therapy had thicker healthy skin, compared with those who did not (P=0.025). Injured skin thickness was lower in patients with biological therapy, without statistical significance (P=0.2). Intensity on affected skin was higher in patients with biological therapy, without statistical significance (P=0.4). SLEB was higher in patients with biological therapy, without statistical significance (P=0.7). No correlation between the PASI clinical score and the ultrasonography measurements of the thickness of the skin was found.

Discussion

Compared to healthy skin, psoriasis plaques display distinctive alterations of the skin layers, produced by underlying inflammation (16,17). Overall, in all examined psoriasis plaques, skin thickness was increased, and the echo-intensity was lower, in contrast to the adjacent skin (17–19). Many researchers have observed that there is a highly significant increase in the thickness of the affected skin of patients with psoriasis. El Gammal et al (5) considered that this is due to the papillary dermis which fluctuates in length due to inflammation, oedema and vascularity variation. The thickness of the epidermal layer may be caused by the keratocyte proliferation and desquamation (5). The increase of the dermal component may be a result of leucocyte infiltration and epidermal acanthosis and the SLEB variation may be due to erythema, which is an inflammatory process caused by fluid fluctuation, but it is also possible that SLEB also reflects acanthosis.

The skin's oedema, determined by the presence of water leads to restructuring of the dermis, by increasing the density between collagen fibers, which can be an explanation for decreasing skin consistency (17).

Based on our results we concluded that the skin thickness is lower in women than in men. This can be attributed to hormonal influence, postmenopausal or post ovariectomy, decreased estrogen levels lead to thinning of the skin, while estrogen therapy thickens the skin. When analyzing their background, we observed that the patients living in urban areas display thickened lesional skin, as well as thickened adjacent healthy skin.

The thickened healthy skin may be explained by the lack of sun exposure. As for patients residing in rural areas, we expect a higher rate of sun exposure. This, in turn, lowers inflammation present in psoriasis lesions, but, at the same time, determines premature skin aging and, thus, cutaneous thinning. The values obtained in this study have demonstrated that, indeed, those who are more exposed to the sun for a longer period have thinner skin.

For patients with a positive family history of psoriasis, the entire skin, both healthy and affected, is thinner, comparing to the skin of those who do not have this genetic background. This result supports the theory of genetic immune induced transmission of the disease. In the case of psoriasis, familial incidence can be easily proven and at times can be followed throughout the history of several generations.

The increase of the SLEB in psoriasis lesions is an accepted, demonstrated fact, showing the degree of inflammation. Even if SLEB increases during the ultrasound examination of psoriasis lesions, it is not a specific marker for psoriasis (18–20). SLEB is also known as ‘solar elastoic band’, being a marker of tegument aging, seen in the damaged sun exposed skin. The SLEB values obtained in this study did not differ when it comes to sex, but it is slightly variant according to the patient's environmental background, as in these cases, the SLEB values is higher, due to regular sun exposure (19,21).

In conclusion, an ultrasound system which uses high-frequency (20 MHz) can provide relevant information regarding the consequences of skin inflammation in psoriasis. The increased thickness, as well as the level of inflammation may be quantified using HF-USG in order to better monitor patients' evolution under therapy. The ultrasonographic image of a psoriasis lesion shows increased skin thickness, lowered echointensity and an increase in SLEB.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the participants and the medical staff, who helped during data collection.

Funding

No funding was received.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Authors contributions

MCS, ANB, RFI, ADP, SCV, ADB and AT contributed to the design of the study, acquisition of the data, and researched the data and worked on interpretation of the results. ANB prepared the questionnaire and obtained the images. SCV performed the statistical analysis. MCS, ANB and ADP contributed to the writing of the manuscript. AT is the guarantor of this work and, as such, had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The present study was carried out following the approval of the University's Ethics Board, in accordance to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The patients were provided with all the necessary explanations regarding the purpose of the study and their involvement in it, and signed informed consent forms to participate in this study.

Patient consent for publication

Patient consent for publication was obtained on the same form as the informed consent for participating in the study.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Glossary

Abbreviations

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References