Cost-effectiveness of topical glycopyrronium tosylate for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

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Cost-effectiveness of topical glycopyrronium tosylate for the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis.

J Med Econ. 2020 Dec 01;:1

Authors: Bloudek LM, Gillard KK, Nguyen VB, Klein SZ

Abstract
AIMS: Primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAHH) is a condition characterized by excessive sweating that negatively impacts health-related quality of life, with significant psychological and social impacts. Glycopyrronium tosylate (GT) is a topical anticholinergic approved in the United States for treatment of PAHH in patients 9 years of age and older. Our objective was to assess the cost-effectiveness of GT as first-line topical therapy compared to topical aluminum chloride from a United States commercial perspective.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Markov model was developed consisting of four health states based on the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) over a time horizon of five years with discount rates of 3% for both costs and outcomes. Transitions between health states were driven by HDSS response, defined as an improvement of ≥2 points. Non-responders and those who discontinue could switch to later line treatments or no treatment. Health utility scores were based on HDSS scores, supported by published literature.
RESULTS: Over five years, GT yielded 0.12 greater QALYs and 0.93 greater LYs with response compared to treatment with prescription aluminum chloride at an incremental cost of $10,584. Relative to prescription aluminum chloride, GT resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $87,238 per QALY gained, $11,349 per LY with response. The ICER fell below $100,000 for 66% of probabilistic sensitivity analysis simulations and below $150,000 for 82% of simulations.
LIMITATIONS: This analysis represents a simplified scenario of a hypothetical PAHH patient. Due to sparse data, assumptions were required for treatment patterns, efficacy, and persistence.
CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of incremental cost per QALY gained, GT is may be cost-effective relative to prescription aluminum chloride at commonly accepted willingness to pay thresholds.

PMID: 33256494 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Differences in subjective and objective evaluation of hyperhidrosis. Study among medical students.

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Differences in subjective and objective evaluation of hyperhidrosis. Study among medical students.

Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2020 Oct;37(5):700-704

Authors: Dobosz Ł, Stefaniak T, Halman J, Piekarska A

Abstract
Introduction: Hyperhidrosis is a condition that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Qualification for treatment in most cases is based only on subjective evaluation of symptoms without objective confirmation.
Aim: To evaluate the differences between subjective and objective evaluation of sweating among medical students.
Material and methods: There were 179 participants involved in the study. Subjective evaluation of sweating was conducted using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and Numeric Rating Scale in 4 body areas: the face, palms, armpits and abdomino-lumbar area. Objective evaluation of sweating was performed using gravimetry.
Results: The prevalence of hyperhidrosis in gravimetric measures was 1.12%. In subjective evaluation hyperhidrosis (HDSS 3 or 4) was present in 11.17% of cases. There was no significant difference in subjective evaluation of hyperhidrosis between men and women (15% vs. 9.24%; p = 0.32). In gravimetry men showed a higher perspiration rate on the face (5.85 vs. 3.38; p < 0.05) and in the armpits (17.27 vs. 9.12; p < 0.05). Individuals with body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 reported hyperhidrosis more often (28% vs. 8.44%; p < 0.05); however, in gravimetric evaluation, beside the facial area, no significant differences in above-mentioned groups were observed.
Conclusions: There is a discrepancy between subjective and objective methods of evaluating sweating.

PMID: 33240009 [PubMed]

Analysis of sweating by optical coherence tomography in patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.

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Analysis of sweating by optical coherence tomography in patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.

J Dermatol. 2020 Nov 23;:

Authors: Kato K, Al-Sobaihi S, Al-Busani H, Nishizawa A, Ohmi M, Yokozeki H, Namiki T

Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution tomographic imaging technique that uses optical interference. OCT has enabled the non-invasive three-dimensional analysis of individual acrosyringia in the stratum corneum in human skin. However, no report on the measurement of sweating by OCT using clinical data from humans has been published to date. Twenty patients with hyperhidrosis and twenty healthy subjects were included in this study. Imaging of acrosyringia in the stratum corneum using OCT and measurement of the sweat rate using the ventilated capsule method were performed simultaneously. The hand grip exercise of the right hand was used as a load to induce sweating, and the left fingertip was measured before and after the exercise load. Five acrosyringia were extracted from each OCT image, and their volumes were calculated. The mean volume of each acrosyringium was divided by the thickness of the stratum corneum to calculate the mean cross-sectional area of the acrosyringium. Furthermore, the number of sweat droplets on the skin surface was measured. The mean cross-sectional area of acrosyringia after the load increased both in patients with hyperhidrosis and in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). The mean cross-sectional area of acrosyringia of patients with hyperhidrosis was larger than that of healthy subjects (P < 0.001). The mean cross-sectional area of acrosyringia and the sweat rate showed a positive correlation before and after the load (r = 0.88 to 0.91). The number of droplets also increased after the load (P < 0.001), and the number of droplets in patients with hyperhidrosis was higher than in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). Our study has shown that acrosyringia in the stratum corneum increase in proportion to the sweat rate. OCT is a rigorous and valuable method that can measure and quantify sweating in the body without being an invasive procedure.

PMID: 33230876 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Intra tester reliability of sympathetic skin responses in subjects with primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

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Intra tester reliability of sympathetic skin responses in subjects with primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020 Oct;24(4):57-62

Authors: Ghandali E, Hosseini SM, Moghimi HR, Khademi-Kalantari K, Talebian Moghadam S, Baghban AA, Mortazavi SM

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) is a disorder related to sympathetic dysfunction. Iontophoresis can be used to reduce sweating rate. Sympathetic skin response (SSR) is commonly used to evaluate the sympathetic system. However, scarce evidence exists about the reliability of SSR parameters.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative and absolute reliability of SSR before and after the application of iontophoresis with aluminum chloride hexahydrate (ACH) gel or tap water in subjects with PPH.
METHODS: Twenty subjects were randomized to receive either iontophoresis with ACH gel or tap water. Three SSRs (amplitude and latency) with 5 s intervals from both hands in both groups were recorded before and after the application of iontophoresis for 30 min. Reliability of amplitude and latency of the SSR was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC).
RESULTS: Amplitudes and latencies of SSR showed good to excellent test-retest reliability for ICC in both groups before iontophoresis. Except for right hand latency which was moderate (0.5-0.75). After iontophoresis, the ACH gel group still showed good to excellent agreement for SSR parameters, while the reliability of SSR parameters in the tap water group was reduced.
CONCLUSION: Subjects with PPH showed high intra-rater reliability for SSR parameters which was maintained after ACH gel iontophoresis and decreased after tap water iontophoresis. It seems that media used for iontophoresis or the state of media (gel vs liquid) may affect the reliability of SSR. Further research is recommended.

PMID: 33218563 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

Surgical treatment of compensatory hyperhidrosis: Retrospective observational study.

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Surgical treatment of compensatory hyperhidrosis: Retrospective observational study.

Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Oct 16;99(42):e22466

Authors: Moon MH, Hyun K, Park JK, Lee J

Abstract
Compensatory hyperhidrosis is a debilitating postoperative condition occurring in 30% to 90% of patients with primary hyperhidrosis. The most appropriate treatment for compensatory hyperhidrosis remains controversial.Between January 2018 and December 2019, 44 patients with intractable compensatory hyperhidrosis underwent diffuse sympathicotomy (DS). In the early study periods, DS was performed sparsely (limited DS) to avoid possible adverse effects (right R5/7/9/11, left R5/6/8/10). In the late study periods, levels of surgical interruption were further modified to maximize sympatholytic effects (extended DS; bilateral R5/6/7/8/9/10/11). Patients were followed up for symptom resolution. For objective evidence of improved hyperhidrosis, thermographic images were taken for 7 patients.Immediate resolution of compensatory hyperhidrosis was achieved in 81% of patients, as determined at the 1 to 2 week postoperative visit. With a median follow-up of 22.7 months, compensatory hyperhidrosis continued to be resolved in 46% (n = 20). Logistic regression analysis showed that persistent resolution of compensatory hyperhidrosis was independently predicted by extended DS (odds ratio, 25.67, 95% CI, 1.78-1047.6; P = .036). The presence of gender, BMI, isolated compensatory hyperhidrosis, distribution of sweating, prior operation type, reoperation interval, and same-day lumbar sympathectomy failed to gain statistical significance on maintaining persistent resolution of compensatory hyperhidrosis. No patients experienced surgery-related side effects. Thermographic images obtained before/after surgery in 10 patients showed successful denervation and sweat diminishment.This study shows the safeness and effectiveness of DS for treating compensatory hyperhidrosis, representing a new treatment option. Future research should be directed at confirming a promising result of extended DS with further follow-up.

PMID: 33080682 [PubMed – in process]

Subthalamic deep brain stimulation improves sleep and excessive sweating in Parkinson’s disease.

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Subthalamic deep brain stimulation improves sleep and excessive sweating in Parkinson’s disease.

NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2020;6:29

Authors: Bjerknes S, Skogseid IM, Hauge TJ, Dietrichs E, Toft M

Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex multisystem disorder with motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS). NMS may have an even greater impact on quality of life than motor symptoms. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) has been shown to improve motor fluctuations and quality of life, whereas the effects on different NMS have been less examined. Sleep disturbances and autonomic dysfunction are among the most prevalent NMS. We here report the efficacy of STN-DBS on sleep disturbances and autonomic dysfunction. In the parent trial, 60 patients were included in a single-center randomized prospective study, with MDS-UPDRS III and PDQ-39 as primary endpoints at 12 months of STN-DBS. Preplanned assessments at baseline and postoperatively at 3 and 12 months also included Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS); Scopa-Aut; and MDS-UPDRS I, II, and IV. We found that STN-DBS had a significant and lasting positive effect on overall sleep quality, nocturnal motor symptoms and restlessness, and daytime dozing. Several aspects of autonomic dysfunction were also improved at 3 months postoperatively, although at 12 months only thermoregulation (sudomotor symptoms) remained significantly improved. We could not identify preoperative factors that predicted improvement in PDSS or Scopa-Aut. There was a close relationship between improved autonomic symptoms and improved quality of life after 1 year. NMS and especially sleep and autonomic dysfunction deserve more focus to improve patient outcomes further.

PMID: 33083523 [PubMed]

Can we predict the compensatory hyperhidrosis following a thoracic sympathectomy?

Can we predict the compensatory hyperhidrosis following a thoracic sympathectomy?

Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2019 Apr;35(2):190-195

Authors: Kara M, Kose S, Cayirci CE, Koksal A

Abstract
Background: Primary hyperhidrosis is a functionally and socially disabling condition resulting in social embarrassment and low quality of life. Thoracic sympathectomy is a definitive choice of treatment with favorable results. However, patients may face another embarrassing condition following surgery as compensatory hyperhidrosis which has no definitive treatment. The predictors of compensatory hyperhidrosis are controversial and remain unclear.
Patients and methods: A total of 74 patients underwent a videothoracoscopic sympathectomy for primary hyperhidrosis. We statistically analyzed our patients with correlations and uni-multivariate logistic regression models to outline the possible predictors of compensatory hyperhidrosis.
Results: A total of 45 (60.8%) patients had compensatory hyperhidrosis. The correlations showed that patients, with age greater than 21 years (P = 0.018), with body mass index (BMI) greater than 22 kg / m2 (P = 0.045), with isolated facial hyperhidrosis (P = 0.044), and with smoking status (P = 0.015), had significantly greater rates of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Similarly, the significant univariate predictors of compensatory hyperhidrosis were age > 21 (P = 0.020), BMI > 22 kg / m2 (P = 0.048), and the presence of smoking status (P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis revealed only smoking as a predictor within the threshold of significance (P = 0.078).
Conclusion: The clinical predictors of compensatory hyperhidrosis following a thoracic sympathectomy appear as older age, greater body mass index, and smoking.

PMID: 33061004 [PubMed]

Efficacy and Tolerability of 20% Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate vs 20% Aluminum Chloride for the Treatment of Axillary Hyperhidrosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

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Efficacy and Tolerability of 20% Aluminum Sesquichlorohydrate vs 20% Aluminum Chloride for the Treatment of Axillary Hyperhidrosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Dermatol Ther. 2020 Sep 29;:e14354

Authors: Thianboonsong T, Kanokrungsee S, Paichitrojjana A, Udompataikul M, Kamanamool N, Rojhirunsakool S

Abstract
This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of topical aluminum sesquichlorohydrate (AS) when compared to aluminum chloride (AC) as a treatment for primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Twenty subjects were included in this randomized, controlled, split-side 8-week study. All participants applied 20% AS and 20% AC lotions in their axillae (one treatment per axilla) every night for 2 weeks; next, the application was reduced to three times a week for 4 weeks. The assessment was performed using the sweating intensity visual scale (SIVS), hyperhidrosis disease severity score (HDSS), patient satisfaction score, and the appearance of adverse effects on weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Both AS as well as AC application showed positive results, significantly differing from the baseline, as assessed using SIVS, HDSS, and patient satisfaction score at every follow-up visit; however, no significant difference was observed between the AS and AC groups at any follow-up visit. The mean time of response was 1.14 weeks for both treatments. A side effect was observed in one subject (5%), who reported itching on the AC axilla. The therapeutic effects persisted even after reducing the frequency of application and lasted for at least two weeks after cessation of use. In conclusion, topical 20% AS demonstrated similar efficacy to topical 20% AC in the treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis, with a high safety profile. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 32990370 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]