The tissue viability imaging system—Suitable method for discovering minimal skin changes in occupational screenings? Results of a cross‐sectional field study

Abstract

Background For early detection of initial skin changes in occupational screenings, only few objective assessment systems are available. Objectives With the aim of assessing an objective measurement method for hand eczema, we trialed the application of the tissue viability imaging (TiVi) system, quantifying erythema non‐invasively by polarized light spectroscopy. Materials and Methods In a field study with 625 employees of a semiconductor production company, 411 were exposed to prolonged wearing of occlusive gloves in the clean room. TiVi system and Hand Eczema Score for Occupational Screenings (HEROS), a quantitative skin score for the hands, were used, supplemented by a standardized personal interview. Results TiVi values of 65 up to 246 for each hand (palm or back), for each participant summed to overall 289 up to 848 (median 389), were measured. Higher TiVi values were noted for men, smokers, and with increasing age. Correlation between TiVi and HEROS was only weak. Several factors like skin pigmentation, thickness of the skin, or tattoos seem to influence TiVi results. Conclusions The practical relevance of one‐time measurements with the TiVi system in occupational screenings seems to be limited. Specifically, the TiVi system cannot replace dermatological examinations at the workplace. Notwithstanding, the application for other scientific purposes might be useful.

Current-Induced Vasodilation Specifically Detects, and Correlates With the Time Since, Last Aspirin Intake: An Interventional Study of 830 Patients

“…On the one hand, acquisition through the glass chamber attenuated the TiVi signal by a factor of 30% compared to adjacent skin, yet correcting results to account for the attenuation did not change our findings (data not shown). On the other hand, it seems that TiVi is sensitive to pigmented skin 32 and the results we observed for ASA detection were less satisfactory than in the case of LCSI. Other portable tools may therefore be preferable for future studies provided that they accurately measure microvascular blood flow and incur a reasonable cost.…”