Exploratory Study of Peristomal and Non-Peristomal Skin Barrier Characteristics in People With a Stoma (Stoma Imprint)

July 17, 2026 updated by: Salts Healthcare

An Exploratory Study of Peristomal and Non-Peristomal Skin Barrier Characterisation in People Living With a Stoma.

The purpose of this exploratory study is to obtain preliminary data on peristomal and non-peristomal skin barrier characterisation in people living with a stoma. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Is there a difference/similarity in skin barrier characterisation of peristomal and non-peristomal skin in people living with a stoma?
  • Is there a difference/similarity in peristomal skin barrier function of different stoma types (colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy)?
  • Does a stoma type/function, influence skin barrier characterisation of peristomal skin?

Participants will:

  • Attend a 1-hour study appointment
  • Undergo non-invasive skin procedures

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Healthy peristomal skin is vital, not only for stoma bag adherence and the prevention of leakages but for the stability to the skin barrier function. Peristomal skin refers to area surrounding a stoma and skin under the stoma bag adhesive. There is a lack of information and understanding on peristomal skin health and its skin barrier qualities. The study aims to gather data on peristomal and non-peristomal skin barrier characterisation in people living with a stoma. Participants enrolled in the study will undertake the following skin testing procedures:

  • Microbiome skin swabbing of peristomal and non-peristomal skin area
  • Skin profiles with Raman Spectrometer of the peristomal and non-peristomal skin
  • Biophysical skin property testing (skin damage, skin colour, redness, elasticity, sebum and pH) of the peristomal and non-peristomal skin

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

108

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will be recruited from Birmingham UK and the surrounding areas (up to a distance of 150 miles)

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adult 18 years or over
  • Have a stoma (colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy)
  • Have healthy peristomal skin
  • Have the ability to provide informed consent
  • Are independently mobile
  • Can stop using any stoma paste, cream, sprays or lotions on peristomal skin 1 day (24hrs) prior to the study appointment
  • Are independent with stoma care management
  • Are able to attend study appointment in Birmingham, UK

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Have a current skin condition, such as eczema, psoriasis, or infection around the skin test site areas
  • Have bleeding or broken peristomal skin
  • Are currently taking any of the following medications: steroids, nicotine patches, acne medication (e.g., Accutane), any medication know to affect the properties of the skin
  • Use patches on your abdomen, such as HRT patches
  • Are receiving or have had radiotherapy or chemotherapy in the last 2 months
  • Are taking or have had antibiotic treatment in the last 4 weeks
  • Are currently receiving any stoma care treatment under a stoma care nurse specialist
  • Have tattoos in the skin test site areas
  • Are pregnant
  • Have excessive hair on your abdomen
  • Have participated in another skin testing study within the last 8 weeks

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
People Living with a Stoma
Colostomy, Ileostomy, Urostomy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Assessment description of skin microbial composition of peristomal and non-peristomal skin
Time Frame: Study appointment (1 hour)
Each participant will provide four skin swab samples for microbiome profiling: two swabs from the peristomal (experimental) test site area and two swabs from the non-peristomal (control) test site area, on the opposite side of the abdomen. To Identify microbial species, present in peristomal and non-peristomal area using Metagenomic Shotgun Sequencing
Study appointment (1 hour)
Assessment of skin barrier chemical composition including water (mass-%), ceramides & fatty acids urea, lactate, protein, natural moisturising factors (NMF) and stratum corneum (SC) thickness of peristomal and non-peristomal skin
Time Frame: Study Appointment (1 hour)
6 High Wavenumber profiles of water (mass%) and SC thickness (Microns) and 6 Fingerprint profiles of ceramides & fatty acids urea, lactate, protein and natural moisturising factors (NMF) from peristomal skin (experimental) test site area and non-peristomal (control) skin test site area, using the Raman spectrometer
Study Appointment (1 hour)
Biophysical skin properties including Transepidermis water loss (TEWL), redness and skin colour, elasticity, sebum and pH of peristomal and non-peristomal skin
Time Frame: Study Appointment (1 hour)
Measurement of Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) with Tewameter, skin colour (melanin) and skin redness (erythema) with Mexameter, elasticity and firmness with Cutometer, sebum level with Subumeter and pH with pH Meter from peristomal area (experimental) skin test and non-peristomal (control) skin test area
Study Appointment (1 hour)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Compare microbiota analysis of each peristomal skin stoma type (Colostomy, Ileostomy and Urostomy)
Time Frame: Study Appointment (1 hour)
Compare matched peristomal skin microbiomes within each stoma type. Explore associations between microbiome profiles and metadata (age, gender, ethnicity, stoma type, duration of stoma etc.)
Study Appointment (1 hour)
Compare skin barrier chemical composition including water (mass-%), ceramides & fatty acids urea, lactate, protein, natural moisturising factors (NMF) and stratum corneum (SC) thickness of each stoma type peristomal skin
Time Frame: Study Appointment (1 hour)
Compare High Wavenumber profiles of water (mass%) and SC thickness (Microns) and Fingerprint profile of ceramides & fatty acids urea, lactate, protein and natural moisturising factors (NMF) from each stoma type (Colostomy, Ileostomy and Urostomy) peristomal skin (experimental) test site area, using Skin Tools Data Analysis Software
Study Appointment (1 hour)
Compare biophysical skin properties including Transepidermis water loss (TEWL), redness and skin colour, elasticity, sebum and pH of stoma type (Colostomy, Ileostomy and Urostomy) peristomal skin
Time Frame: Study Appointment (1 hour)
Biophysical skin property testing, Transepidermis water loss (TEWL), redness and skin colour, elasticity, sebum and pH from each stoma type (Colostomy, Ileostomy and Urostomy) peristomal skin.
Study Appointment (1 hour)

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Correlation between peristomal skin barrier characterisation and stoma type/function and management
Time Frame: Study Appointment (1 hour)

Participants will be asked specific stoma questions to capture responses for stoma type/function and management questions. To identify the following:

  • Stoma type/function
  • Stoma products
  • Peristomal skin condition
  • Stoma leakage frequency
  • Stoma appliance changes
  • Stoma accessory usage
Study Appointment (1 hour)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Salts Healthcare

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Mireille Hamson, Salts Healthcare

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 14, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 22, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 17, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 26/HRA/1622

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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