Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation versus surgical sympathectomy in palmar hyperhidrosis

Sci Rep. 2024 Apr 1;14(1):7620. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-57834-0.

ABSTRACT

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) comparative efficacy of treatments using video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VATS) in the long term remains uncertain in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis (PHH). This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of RFA and VATS in patients with PHH. We recruited patients aged ≥ 14 years with diagnosed PHH from 14 centres in China. The treatment options of RFA or VATS were assigned to two cohort in patients with PHH. The primary outcome was the efficacy at 1-year. A total of 807 patients were enrolled. After propensity score matching, the rate of complete remission was lower in RFA group than VATS group (95% CI 0.21-0.57; p < 0.001). However, the rates of palmar dryness (95% CI 0.38-0.92; p = 0.020), postoperative pain (95% CI 0.13-0.33; p < 0.001), and surgery-related complications (95% CI 0.19-0.85; p = 0.020) were lower in RFA group than in VATS group, but skin temperature rise was more common in RFA group (95% CI 1.84-3.58; p < 0.001). RFA had a lower success rate than VATS for the complete remission of PHH. However, the symptom burden and cost are lower in patients undergoing RFA compared to those undergoing VATS.Trial Registration: ChiCTR2000039576, URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx .

PMID:38556580 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-57834-0

Diagnostic accuracy of a short-form version of the diagnostic criteria for primary hyperhidrosis

Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2024 Mar;33(1):17-22.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The gold standard method for diagnosing primary hyperhidrosis (PHH) is based on seven patient-reported criteria. By determining an individual criterion’s diagnostic accuracy, one can identify short-version classification models.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from Danish blood donors in 2021. Cohen’s kappa and diagnostic accuracy were determined by comparing each criterion with the gold standard method.

RESULTS: The study included 1,039 participants. Of them, 59 (5.7%) had PHH and 980 (94.3%) were classified as control individuals. The PHH major criterion “focal visible excessive sweating for at least 6 months without an apparent cause” had the highest prevalence in the participants with PHH compared to the control individuals (100% vs. 0.6%; p < 0.0001). The agreement between this criterion and PHH was Cohen’s kappa = 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-0.99), and its sensitivity was 1.00 (95% CI 0.94-1.00) and specificity 0.99 (95% CI 0.99-1.00). The other criteria showed lower agreement and diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS: The PHH major criterion showed near-perfect agreement and near-equal diagnostic accuracy compared with the gold standard method. This single criterion can be used as a short-form version to screen for PHH. Determination of reproducibility in independent populations is warranted.

PMID:38532656

Changes in electrodermal activity following sympathicotomy in hyperhidrosis patients

Front Surg. 2024 Mar 11;11:1358357. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1358357. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the potential of electrodermal activity (EDA) as a diagnostic tool for preoperative evaluation in hyperhidrosis patients. EDA levels and patterns in different skin areas were investigated before and after endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy (ETS) and was compared to healthy subjects.

METHODS: Thirty-seven patients underwent two days of measurements before and after the operation. Twenty-five (67.5%) of the patients also had a third measurement after six months. Non-invasive EDA measurements, involving skin conductance, were sampled from five different skin areas while patients were at rest in supine and sitting positions or when subjected to stimuli such as deep inspirations, mental challenge, and exposure to a sudden loud sound.

RESULTS: Prior to the operation, hyperhidrosis patients showed higher spontaneous palm EDA variations at rest and stronger responses to stimuli compared to healthy subjects. Patients with facial blushing/hyperhidrosis or combined facial/palmar hyperhidrosis showed minimal spontaneous activity or responses, particularly during mental challenge and sound stimulus. Notably, palm EDA response was abolished shortly following sympathicotomy, although a minor response was observed after six months. Minimal EDA responses were also observed in the back and abdomen postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: Hyperhidrosis patients showed stronger EDA response to stimuli compared to healthy subjects. Sympathicotomy resulted in the complete elimination of palm EDA responses, gradually returning to a limited extent after six months. These findings suggest that EDA recordings could be utilized in preoperative assessment of hyperhidrosis patients.

PMID:38529470 | PMC:PMC10961364 | DOI:10.3389/fsurg.2024.1358357

Botulinum toxin A versus microwave thermolysis for primary axillary hyperhidrosis: A randomized controlled trial

JAAD Int. 2024 Jan 23;15:91-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2023.12.011. eCollection 2024 Jun.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin A (BTX) and microwave thermolysis (MWT) represent 2 treatment modalities for axillary hyperhidrosis with different procedural and efficacy profiles.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term outcomes following BTX vs MWT treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.

METHODS: A prospective, randomized, within-patient, controlled trial, treating axillary hyperhidrosis with contralateral BTX and MWT. Objective sweat measurement and patient-reported outcome measures for sweat and odor were collected at baseline, 6-month and 1-year follow-up (6M/1YFU). Hair reduction and patient treatment preference was also assessed.

RESULTS: Sweat reduction was significant (all P <.01) for both interventions throughout the study. Objectively, sweat reduction was equal at 1-year FU (ΔP =.4282), but greater for BTX than MWT at 6-month FU (ΔP =.0053). Subjective sweat assessment presented comparable efficacy (6MFU: ΔP =.4142, 1YFU: ΔP =.1025). Odor reduction was significant (all P <.01) following both interventions, whereas only sustaining for MWT (6MFU: ΔP =.6826, 1YFU: ΔP =.0098). Long-term, hair reduction was visible after MWT, but not BTX (ΔP ≤.0001), and MWT was preferred by the majority of patients (76%).

LIMITATIONS: The intrinsic challenges in efficacy assessment.

CONCLUSION: This study exhibited BTX and MWT with similar sweat reduction, but distinguishable odor and hair reduction at 1-year FU. These findings support individualized treatment approaches for axillary hyperhidrosis based on patient-specific symptoms and preferences.

PMID:38495540 | PMC:PMC10940128 | DOI:10.1016/j.jdin.2023.12.011

A novel pathogenic variant in TDP2 causes spinocerebellar ataxia autosomal recessive 23 accompanied by pituitary tumor and hyperhidrosis: a case report

Neurol Sci. 2024 Mar 4. doi: 10.1007/s10072-024-07397-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

TDP2 gene encodes tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase 2, an enzyme required for effective repair of the DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Spinocerebellar ataxia autosomal recessive 23 (SCAR23) is a rare disease caused by the pathogenic mutation of TDP2 gene and characterized by intellectual disability, progressive ataxia and refractory epilepsy. Thus far, merely nine patients harboring five different variants (c.425 + 1G > A; c.413_414delinsAA, p. Ser138*; c.400C > T, p. Arg134*; c.636 + 3_ 636 + 6 del; c.4G > T, p. Glu2*) in TDP2 gene have been reported. Here, we describe the tenth patient with a novel variant (c.650del, p. Gly217GlufsTer7) and new phenotype (pituitary tumor and hyperhidrosis).

PMID:38433132 | DOI:10.1007/s10072-024-07397-9

Botulinum Toxin A and B for Palmoplantar Hyperhidrosis

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2024 Mar 1. doi: 10.1007/s13555-024-01113-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Hyperhidrosis is characterized by unpredictable, uncontrollable and excessive sweating. It occurs at rest and is not related to temperature. Hyperhidrosis is a common disorder that has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). The aim of this quality assurance study was to investigate how treatment of palmoplantar hyperhidrosis with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) and botulinum toxin B (BTX-B) led to improvement of patient reported outcome measures related to QoL.

METHODS: A total of 35 patients with palmar and/or plantar hyperhidrosis who had received BTX-A (Dysport®) and BTX-B (NeuroBloc®) for palmar hyperhidrosis and BTX-B for plantar hyperhidrosis were included in this study. In total, palms were injected with a median dose (low to high) of 400 (100-550) units BTX-A and a median dose (low to high) of 200 (200-500) units. BTX-B was used in the thenar and hypothenar areas to avoid muscle weakness. In the soles a total median dose (low to high) of 600 (475-1000) units BTX-B was injected.

RESULTS: At follow-up 2 weeks post-treatment, patients’ Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score improved from 13 to 2 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: We found that BTX-A and BTX-B treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis and BTX-B treatment for plantar hyperhidrosis led to a substantial improvement of QoL.

PMID:38424385 | DOI:10.1007/s13555-024-01113-3