Validation of a mechanical method for measuring skin thickness: relation to age, body mass index, skin thickness determined by ultrasound, and bone mineral density.

In a number of endocrine disorders, typical changes in skin thickness can be observed which make measurement of skin thickness interesting in this field. A newly developed mechanical method for measuring skin thickness is presented. Using a digital measuring screw on the dorsum of the hand with a defined measuring force of 10 newton and a resulting tissue compression of 1500 mm Hg, highly reproducible results were obtained (mean coefficient of variation 2.56%). In 129 women, 37 to 78 years old, body mass index < 30 kg/m2, there was no significant relation between body mass index and skin fold thickness. A negative correlation between skin fold thickness and age (r = 0.37, p < 0.001) was det…