Ceramide Infused Skin Barriers and Peristomal Skin Health

Introduction: A global evaluation of ceramide infused ostomy skin barriers was conducted.  The evaluation involved 184 stoma care nurses from four countries enrolling 284 patients.  The countries involved were Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  Of the 284 patients evaluated, 33% were colostomates (mean age 63.1 years), 51% were ileostomates (mean age 54.7 years), and 16% were urostomates (mean age 66.6 years).

Objective: It was the objective of this product evaluation to assess peristomal skin health in the presence of a ceramide infused skin barrier.

Results: Of interest was the condition of peristomal skin prior to the use of ceramide infused skin barriers, and after.  Peristomal skin condition was assessed using the Skin Assessment Tool¹ (DET; scale = 0-15), and categorized according to Meisner² as mild skin (<4), moderate (≥ 4 and < 7), and severe (≥ 7).  The data indicates that of 66 ostomy patients assessed as having a severe peristomal skin condition prior to the use of ceramide infused skin barriers, 52% were assessed as having mild peristomal skin and 24% were assessed as having moderate peristomal skin condition after the use of ceramide infused skin barriers (24% remained unchanged). The data also indicates that of 78 patients assessed with a moderate peristomal skin condition prior to the use of ceramide infused, 74% were assessed as having mild peristomal skin condition after the use of ceramide infused skin barriers (22% remained the same).

For those patients in which skin conditions improved an approximate 1 day longer product wear time was observed, while the use of topical medications and accessories were indicated as having been reduced in 37% of patients and 48% of patients respectively. 

Conclusions: In this product evaluation improvements in peristomal skin condition were associated with the use of a ceramide infused skin barrier.