Posts

Posted on

Iontophoresis Improves the Impact on the Quality of Life of Children with Primary Hyperhidrosis-A Prospective Study and a Short Review

Children (Basel). 2024 Oct 17;11(10):1253. doi: 10.3390/children11101253.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperhidrosis (PH) is a somatic and idiopathic pediatric skin disease. The eccrine glands are tiny and very numerous, with approximately 3 million distributed throughout the skin. There is no commonly accepted amount of sweating to define hyperhidrosis, but people with this disease suffer real limitations integrating into society, which can be quantified through quality of life measurement scales. We want to draw attention to this disease and its impact on children’s quality of life because it is significant and there are no studies conducted on groups consisting solely of children.

METHODS: There are various quality of life evaluation questionnaires for hyperhidrosis. We studied 103 children with hyperhidrosis by monitoring their sweat severity and its impact on quality of life, using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale. We compared the scale results before and after 10 days of iontophoresis. This study includes only children under 18 years old, treated with iontophoresis.

RESULTS: The average age of the group is 11.84 ± 2.89 years. Treatment success is recorded in 68 (66.02%) children, but a change in the score is recorded in 74 (71.84%) children. The average HDSS score at T0 is 2.95 ± 0.70, compared to the HDSS score at T1 of 1.92 ± 0.86.

CONCLUSIONS: Hyperhidrosis has a negative impact on daily life, especially self-esteem, occupational productivity, emotional well-being, and interpersonal relationships. Iontophoresis is a safe and effective treatment method that reduces the severity of hyperhidrosis and increases the quality of life.

PMID:39457218 | DOI:10.3390/children11101253

Posted on

Efficacy and safety of topical glycopyrronium bromide in treating axillary hyperhidrosis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 19;14(1):24537. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-74430-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis (HH), characterized by excessive sweating, poses a significant challenge to patients’ quality of life. This meta-analysis evaluates the safety and efficacy of topical glycopyrronium bromide (GBP) in treating primary hyperhidrosis, a chronic condition affecting various body regions. Despite its prevalence, primary axillary hyperhidrosis is often undertreated due to a lack of awareness and social stigma.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing GBP to a placebo in primary hyperhidrosis patients. Eligibility criteria included outcomes related to perspiration suppression and symptom improvement.

RESULTS: Four RCTs involving 1401 patients were included. GBP significantly increased Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) responders (RR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.99 to 2.74], p < 0.00001) and Axillary Sweating Daily Diary (ASDD/ASDD-C) responders (MD = 3.07, 95% CI [2.32 to 4.06], p < 0.002) without significantly causing adverse events. Dermatology life quality index was also significantly improved in the GBP group (MD = -2.32, 95% CI [-3.09, -1.55], P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION: GBP demonstrated effectiveness in reducing sweat production while improving HDSS and DLQI scores. Adverse events included dry mouth and anticholinergic effects. Dry eye and local skin reactions were not significant, which makes GBP promising in managing primary hyperhidrosis, offering improvements in symptoms and quality of life. While adverse events should be considered, further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is warranted for comprehensive clinical integration.

PMID:39424822 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-74430-4

Posted on

Sexual effects and long-term outcomes of endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy for plantar hyperhidrosis in men: a cross-sectional study

J Vasc Bras. 2024 Sep 27;23:e20240014. doi: 10.1590/1677-5449.202400142. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Plantar hyperhidrosis (PHH) is a disease with high psychosocial impact, and endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy (ELS) has been shown to be the best choice for treatment, but with some concerns such as compensatory sweating (CS) and sexual effects (SE), particularly in men.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of ELS for controlling PHH in men, its side effects, and perceived sexual modifications.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study including only male patients operated for PHH with ELS between 2014-2022 at a private practice. During remote interviews, patients were asked about symptoms before and after ELS and about the postoperative effects on PHH. They were also objectively asked about any SE during the postoperative period. Validated quality of life for hyperhidrosis and erectile function questionnaires were also administered.

RESULTS: 10 male patients averaging 4.26±2.86 years post-ELS were interviewed. Eight of them (80%) achieved complete response (≥80% of sweat reduction) in the first month after surgery and this response was maintained up to the interview date. Two patients had partial response. In six patients, CS occurred, with 5 reporting it as non-troublesome. Six patients reported some type of SE, but none reported erectile dysfunction. Regarding the functional results, all patients rated ELS from good (10%) to very good (30%) or excellent (60%).

CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic lumbar sympathectomy was effective for treatment of plantar hyperhidrosis in these patients, improving their quality of life and providing lasting PHH control, with some transient sexual dysfunctions that did not impair their sexual life.

PMID:39421693 | PMC:PMC11486464 | DOI:10.1590/1677-5449.202400142

Posted on

Fractional CO(2) Laser-Assisted Delivery of Botulinum Toxin-A Versus Aluminum Chloride in Treatment of Primary Palmar Hyperhidrosis

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2024 Nov;40(6):e13006. doi: 10.1111/phpp.13006.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) constitutes a distressing dermatologic condition that greatly affects patients’ quality of life. Its management still needs to be addressed to find a suitable therapeutic modality that is readily available, cost effective, and gives patients a quite long disease-free period.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser as a delivery method for botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) and aluminum chloride in treating PPH.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four subjects with PPH were treated on both hands with fractional CO2 laser followed on the right hand with topical BTX-A and on the left hand with topical aluminum chloride. Minor’s starch-iodine test and Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) were used for evaluation of treatment response and for follow-up.

RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in HDSS in both groups, but there was no statistically significant difference in the therapeutic response for both modalities. There was a statistically significant longer disease-free period in the BTX-A-treated hands.

CONCLUSION: Fractional CO2 laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) represents a safe, minimally invasive procedure that enhances the delivery of BTX-A and aluminum chloride, the two most widely used agents for treating PPH, with a comparable anhidrotic response.

PMID:39388586 | DOI:10.1111/phpp.13006

Posted on

Long term outcomes and risk factors of compensatory hyperhidrosis after thoracoscopic sympathectomy in primary palmar hyperhidrosis patients: a retrospective single-center study

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2024 Oct 4;19(1):590. doi: 10.1186/s13019-024-03086-y.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) after thoracoscopic sympathectomy and explore the risk factors affecting postoperative CH in primary palmar hyperhidrosis(PPH) patients.

METHOD: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the thoracic surgery department of our hospital from January 2015 to May 2022. Long-term follow-up surveys was conducted to collect data on post-operative satisfaction, PPH recurrence, and CH occurrence. Postoperative CH outcomes were assessed using the HDSS and satisfaction scores scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative CH.

RESULT: A total of 152 patients was included in the final study, with 113 cases in the CH group and 39 cases in the nCH group. The incidence of postoperative CH was 74.3% (113/152), within which 33.6% (38/113) were severe CH. The median follow-up time was 3.1 years(2.5-5.5y) and the median interval of CH onset after surgery was 30 days (14-90d). Univariate analysis showed that body mass index(BMI), surgical time, and transected nerve level are correlated with CH, with statistically significant differences. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a higher BMI (OR = 0.864, 95% CI 0.755-0.989, P < 0.05) is the independent risk factor for the occurrence of CH. There was no statistically significant difference in HDSS scores among CH patients at 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years after surgery.

CONCLUSION: A higher BMI is the independent risk factor for postoperative CH after thoracoscopic sympathectomy. The incidence and severity of postoperative CH kept stable during a long term follow up.

PMID:39367483 | PMC:PMC11451246 | DOI:10.1186/s13019-024-03086-y

Posted on

The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Addressability to Treatment of Children with Hyperhidrosis-A Retrospective Study and a Short Review

Life (Basel). 2024 Aug 10;14(8):995. doi: 10.3390/life14080995.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study was carried out to demonstrate the negative influence that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the ability of patients to treat hyperhidrosis with iontophoresis. The purpose of this study is to identify the annual distribution of patients with hyperhidrosis as well as elaborate a curve of cases within the time interval studied.

METHODS: It is a retrospective study initiated in the Department of Neuropsychomotor Rehabilitation of the “Sf. Ioan” Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Galati, Romania, in which we analyzed the electronic database, the treatment, and the consultation files of all the children who presented between January 2013 and December 2023. We found 111 patients who met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS: During the 3 years of the pandemic, the number of patients who came to our clinic suddenly dropped to 0.

LIMITATIONS: This study was conducted on a relatively small number of patients in a Neuropsychomotor Recovery clinic. This study includes only patients with palmar and/or plantar hyperhidrosis who presented to the clinic for iontophoresis.

CONCLUSION: Although it is a disease that significantly influences the quality of life, patients and their families do not consider hyperhidrosis to be an urgent problem that can be improved by treatment.

PMID:39202737 | DOI:10.3390/life14080995

Posted on

Cluster analysis identifies clinical phenotypes of primary hyperhidrosis

Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2024 Aug 28. doi: 10.1159/000540516. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Identifying subgroups of patients with primary hyperhidrosis (PHH) can improve the understanding of the disease pathophysiology. The study objective is to determine the naturally occurring subgroups of patients with PHH based on clinical characteristics. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, data was collected from participants included in a clinical trial. The data was collected between January 2020 and June 2021 from outpatients with PHH attending a dermatologic department in Denmark. Overall, 84 patients with PHH were screened for inclusion in the clinical trial. Of these, 41 met the eligibility criteria. Four participants were excluded because of missing data. The main outcome was the identification of subgroups of patients with PHH using an unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis. Results Overall, 37 patients were included (28 [76.7%] females; median age at inclusion 28.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 24.0-38.3]; median body mass index 24.9 [IQR 20.9-27.4); median age of onset 13.0 [IQR 9.5-18.5]; and 26 [70.3%] had a familial disposition towards PHH). Two clusters of 18 and 17 patients were identified. The first cluster had, when compared to the second, a younger age of onset (median age 11.0 [IQR 0-13.0] vs. 17.0 [IQR 15.0-21.0], p=0.003) and higher sweat rates on gravimetry (median 175.0 [IQR 121.2-252.5] vs. 40.0 [IQR 20.0-60.0] milligrams of sweat/5 minutes, p&lt;0.001) and transepidermal water loss (median 93.7 [IQR 91.2-97.8] vs. 59.0 [IQR 44.4-73.2] grams/meter2/hour, p&lt;0.001). No differences were observed for the other variables. Conclusions This study identifies two subgroups of patients with PHH. The patients with an onset of PHH during childhood had a substantially higher sweat and evaporation rate in adulthood than those with an onset during adolescence. These findings may imply a changed understanding of the pathophysiology of PHH, by indicating that an early disease onset can lead to a worse disease course.

PMID:39197424 | DOI:10.1159/000540516