Bioelements as Markers of “Metabolic Syndrome” in Chronic Eczema

Abstract

The study examined the potential use of bioelement analysis for diagnosing the so-called “metabolic syndrome” in patients with chronic true eczema. Hair samples from 50 patients were investigated by atomic emission analysis, with statistical assessment including variation, correlation, regression, univariate, and multivariate methods. The authors found that evaluation of the syndrome could rely on determining Ca, Cr, Cu, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Se, and Zn levels; altered concentrations of some bioelements were associated with hair loss or delayed hair growth and brittleness of the nail plates. Bioelement analysis is presented as one possible biomarker of the relationship between metabolic disturbances and the functional state of the skin and its appendages.