![[ Visit WOCN Website ]](/img/wocn/2011am/header.gif)
BACKGROUND: In spite of significant advances in absorbent brief technology, Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) continues to be a medical challenge. Traditional treatment of IAD is to protect the skin with a moisture barrier cream, ointment, or film. However, it has been suggested that some barrier products, particularly those that are petrolatum-based, may interfere with brief absorption.
METHODS: A modified in vitro fluid rate absorption test was used to compare the effect three different levels (0.1, 0.3, and 0.75ml) of seven skin protectants have on the rate of fluid absorption by adult disposable incontinence briefs. For testing purposes, mini-briefs (3”X3”) were constructed from four brands of adult disposable absorbent briefs in a manner that retained structural integrity of the original brief. The barrier products were then applied to the mini-briefs at each of the three test levels. Outcome measurement was the time required for 16ml of a 0.9% saline solution to be absorbed into the brief through a 1” open cylinder pressed into the mini-brief with a standardized force.
RESULTS: All of the barriers products significantly decreased the rate of fluid absorption by the briefs, but to varying degrees (P=0.0289 to p<0.0001, ANOVA with Tukey’s pairwise comparisons). These differences were more pronounced at the 0.1ml than 0.3ml level, and there were no differences at the 0.75ml level.
CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm earlier reports using in vivo models that some skin protectant products have the potential to interfere with absorbent brief function. However, there seems to be no clear pattern in discerning between products based on active ingredients. This leads one to conclude that excipients probably play a significant role in interfering with absorbent brief function.