2021 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 89-93
Background: Skin color is an important sign for assessing patients' physical status. However, few studies have evaluated the relationship between acute pathophysiological changes and skin color.
Objectives: To examine the skin color of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) before and after hemodialysis (HD), and investigate the relationship between skin color and volume of removed water (RW), vital signs, and levels of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht).
Methods: Thirteen patients with CRF were enrolled. Forearm skin color was measured using a portable spectrophotometer before and after HD. Skin color was defined by brightness (L＊ ) and chromaticity (a＊ and b＊ ). The RW, vital signs, and Hb and Ht levels were also measured.
Results: After HD, L＊ and b＊ significantly decreased, while a＊ significantly increased. RW correlated with both changes in L＊ (ΔL＊ ) and the color difference. Blood pressure (BP) correlated with ΔL＊.
Conclusion: Changes in brightness of the skin were related to reduced body water and BP due to HD.
