Transfersomal eosin topical delivery assisted by fractional CO2 laser for photodynamic treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis: case study

Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2022 Apr 20. doi: 10.1007/s13346-022-01164-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the cholinergic receptors on the eccrine glands are overstimulated, resulting in excessive sweating. It is considered a serious cosmetic and psychological problem that affects the patient’s quality of life. Searching for novel treatment modalities is required to minimize the side effects and to attain better patient satisfaction.Photodynamic therapy (PDT), using eosin as a photosensitizer, is developed as a promising modality of the treatment of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. In this study, we treated six cases suffering palmar hyperhidrosis by applying the fractional CO2 laser prior to PDT session. For PDT, a hydrogel of eosin loaded in a transfersomes as a nano-delivery carrier was applied for 5 min, followed by irradiation by intense pulsed light (IPL). The prepared transfersomes loaded by eosin were spherical in shape with encapsulation efficiency of 33 ± 3.5%, particle size 305.5 ± 5.7 nm, average zeta potential of – 54 ± 7.6 mV with 80 ± 4% of the loaded eosin was released after 3 h. Two cases achieved 90% improvement after four sessions, three patients needed six sessions to show 75% improvement, while one patient showed only 25% improvement after six sessions. This resulted in shortening the time of PS application and decreasing the number of sessions required to achieve acceptable improvement. More clinical studies on large number of patients are required to optimize the results.

PMID:35441986 | DOI:10.1007/s13346-022-01164-z

Two-week prospective observational study of 5% sofpironium bromide gel in Japanese patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis

J Dermatol. 2022 Apr 8. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.16384. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In 2020, 5% sofpironium bromide (ECCLOCK® ) gel (hereinafter referred to as sofpironium) was approved in Japan for the topical treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis. A phase III study of sofpironium demonstrated the efficacy and safety of sofpironium; however, no study has assessed its early efficacy at <6 weeks after starting treatment. Therefore, to assess the earlier effectiveness of sofpironium, we conducted a 2-week, single-center, exploratory, prospective, observational study in Japanese patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Patients aged ≥20 years and satisfying with a Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) score of 3 or 4 at baseline were eligible for the study. The primary endpoint for the effectiveness was change in the proportion of patients with a HDSS score of 1, 2, 3, or 4 during the 2-week study period. In 80 patients included in the full analysis set (FAS), there were more women than men (93.8% vs. 6.3%), and the mean age (±standard deviation [SD]) was 33.3 ± 9.4 years. In the FAS, the proportion of patients with a HDSS score of 1 or 2 was 55.0% on day 7, and statistically significant changes were observed after day 3 compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Mean HDSS scores (±SD) were significantly decreased from baseline value of 3.5 ± 0.5 to 2.4 ± 0.9 on day 7 (p < 0.001). The median period for sofpironium treatment to achieve a HDSS score of 1 or 2 for a continuous 2 days was 6 days (95% confidence interval, 4-8). Safety was evaluated in 92 patients in the safety analysis set, and no adverse events were reported during the study period of 2 weeks. These results suggest that after 1-week treatment with sofpironium for patients with a HDSS score of 3 or 4, approximately 50% of the patients can achieve a HDSS score of 1 or 2, which is a clinically significant improvement for the patients.

PMID:35394087 | DOI:10.1111/1346-8138.16384

A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Mar 7;10(3):e4172. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004172. eCollection 2022 Mar.

ABSTRACT

Palmar hyperhidrosis (PH), a condition characterized by excess sweating of the palms, is a common concern that presents to the plastic surgeon, which can have major impacts on patient confidence and quality of life. While several studies summarize treatment options for hyperhidrosis in general, few outline the therapeutic options available specifically for PH.

METHOD: The authors reviewed the current literature specific to the diagnostic workup and treatment of PH.

RESULTS: In this article, we show a practical approach to managing patients presenting with PH, summarize its main nonsurgical and surgical treatment options, provide a suggested treatment ladder, and outline emerging therapeutic approaches. We suggest that, after diagnosing PH and classifying its severity, nonsurgical treatments (ie, topical antiperspirants, iontophoresis, botulinum toxin A injection, and topical/oral anticholinergics) should be utilized in a stepwise manner. In patients with severe palmar hyperhidrosis who do not respond to nonsurgical treatments, surgical intervention may be warranted, generally in the form of sympathetic denervation.

CONCLUSION: This article provides a clear overview of PH treatment options, stepwise guidelines for physicians, and educational video resources demonstrating botulinum toxin A injections with cryotherapy and nerve blocks.

PMID:35265447 | PMC:PMC8901220 | DOI:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004172

Minimally Invasive Sympathicotomy for Palmar Hyperhidrosis and Facial Blushing: Current Status and the Hyperhidrosis Expert Center Approach

J Clin Med. 2022 Jan 31;11(3):786. doi: 10.3390/jcm11030786.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excessive sweating beyond physiological need, is a condition with serious emotional and social consequences for affected patients. Symptoms usually appear in focal areas such as the feet, hands, axillae and face. Non-surgical treatment options such as topical antiperspirants or systemic medications are usually offered as a first step of treatment, although these therapies are often ineffective, especially in severe and intolerable cases of hyperhidrosis. In the treatment algorithm for patients suffering from hyperhidrosis, surgical thoracoscopic sympathicotomy offers a permanent solution, which is particularly effective in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis and facial blushing. In this review, we describe the current status of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis and facial blushing. In addition, we share the specific treatment approach, technique and results of our Hyperhidrosis Expert Center. Last, we share recommendations to ensure an effective, reproducible and safe application of single-port thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for palmar hyperhidrosis and facial blushing, based on our extensive experience.

PMID:35160238 | DOI:10.3390/jcm11030786

Hyperhidrosis Comorbidities and Treatments: A Register-based Study among 511 Subjects

Acta Derm Venereol. 2022 Jan 28. doi: 10.2340/actadv.v101.1061. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hyperhidrosis is a dermatological condition that causes psychosocial impairment and has a negative impact on patients’ quality of life. The epidemiology of hyperhidrosis is currently poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyse comorbidities and treatments in 511 subjects with hyperhidrosis selected from the patient records of Oulu University Hospital. The mean age of patients with local hyperhidrosis was 27.9 years and the majority were female (62.7%). The most common anatomical site of symptoms in the youngest age group was the palms, whereas the axillae were a more common site in advanced age. Depression was a common comorbidity in both local (11.6%) and generalized hyperhidrosis (28.6%). Anxiety affected 12.7% of patients with generalized hyperhidrosis. In 36.8% of the patients with local hyperhidrosis there was a delay in diagnosis of more than 10 years. The most commonly used treatments included topical antiperspirants, iontophoresis and botulin toxin injections.

PMID:35088873 | DOI:10.2340/actadv.v101.1061

Knowledge of surgical management of hyperhidrosis among primary care physicians and the general public

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2022 Jan 7:ivab371. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivab371. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Our study examined attitudes towards initial management of hyperhidrosis, willingness to seek surgical consultation and knowledge of an appropriate specialty for surgical consultation among primary care physicians and the general public.

METHODS: An online survey was sent to all general medicine and paediatric residents and attending physicians at our academic medical centre. Participants were provided with a clinical scenario of palmar hyperhidrosis and were asked to select among initial management options and preferences for surgical consultation if patients failed non-operative management. To assess the general public’s perspective, workers from Amazon Mechanical Turk were recruited to complete a similar survey.

RESULTS: The majority of primary care physicians (31/53; 58%) would prescribe topical aluminium chloride for palmar hyperhidrosis, whereas 28 of 53 (53%) would refer such patients to dermatology. Twenty-three of 53 (43%) physicians would refer such patients to surgery if conservative management failed: 18 (78%) to plastic surgery, 4 (17%) to general surgery and none to thoracic surgery. The majority of workers (130/205; 63.4%) would seek primary care treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. Over half (113/205; 55%) would seek surgical consultation if conservative management failed: 65 (58%) general surgery and 15 (13%) neurosurgery, with only 8 (7%) selecting thoracic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: Neither primary care physicians nor the general public recognize the role of thoracic surgeons in managing primary focal hyperhidrosis when medical management fails. Education of physicians and the public may mitigate this knowledge gap.

PMID:35015865 | DOI:10.1093/icvts/ivab371

Control of Diabetic Gustatory Hyperhidrosis With Topical 20% Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate

J Drugs Dermatol. 2021 Dec 1;20(12):1359-1360. doi: 10.36849/jdd.5755.

ABSTRACT

Diabetic gustatory hyperhidrosis is a late sequela of diabetes and can have profound consequences. We report a case of diabetic gustatory hyperhidrosis controlled with topical aluminum chloride hexahydrate and support this as a first-line treatment. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate is a safe, effective, inexpensive and commercially available treatment.

PMID:34898156 | DOI:10.36849/jdd.5755

Sofpironium bromide: an investigational agent for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis

Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2021 Dec 10. doi: 10.1080/13543784.2022.2017880. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In the last years, increased knowledge about pathophysiology of primary hyperhidrosis has led to novel therapeutic advances. Topical and systemic anticholinergic agents have been proven beneficial in reducing sweat production in primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH), although their use is limited by the increased likelihood of systemic anticholinergic drug reactions, particularly regarding the systemic agents.

AREAS COVERED: This paper provides an overview of pharmaceutical characteristics, efficacy and safety data from phase II and III clinical trials on sofpironium bromide (SB), a topical anticholinergic agent which has been employed for the treatment of PAH and has already received its first approval in Japan for the treatment of PAH in the form of 5% gel formulation.

EXPERT OPINION: The retrometabolic drug design of topical SB presents distinct advantages, by limiting systemic absorption and therefore development of anticholinergic adverse events. This along with the popularity of the non-greasy gel formulation is expected to increase compliance. However, this therapy still offers a temporary control of PAH, compared to sympathectomy or device-based treatments, such as microwave thermolysis. Hence, physicians should balance the effectiveness against adverse events of each therapeutic modality and use a personalized approach based on patient’s needs.

PMID:34890517 | DOI:10.1080/13543784.2022.2017880