A Study on the Impact of Hyperhidrosis on the Quality of Life among College Students

Enhancing Quality of Life: Pre- and Postoperative Assessment in Idiopathic Hyperhidrosis Patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to characterize patients, describe surgical complications, and evaluate the pre- and postoperative quality of life (QOL) of individuals who underwent surgery for primary hyperhidrosis (PHH).

METHODS

A prospective, non-randomized, uncontrolled study was conducted, documenting cases of patients undergoing surgery for PHH at a reference center in La Habana, Cuba, from January 2016 to December 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 49 cases were described, with a median age of 16 years; 59.1% were female. The most common presentation was palmar-plantar-axillary, observed in 53% of cases. The palmar presentation was more frequent in female patients (p<0.05). Within 24 hours post-procedure, 85.7% of patients showed dryness in the palmar and axillary areas, with surgical complications occurring in 14.3% of cases (intercostal neuritis, pneumothorax, and hemothorax). CH of some form was recorded in 89.8% of cases. At least 30 days after the surgery, 95.9% of the patients reported a significant improvement in their QOL.

CONCLUSION

Thoracic sympathectomy is an efficient and safe method for treating hyperhidrosis in adolescents, leading to an enhanced QOL. However, this study reported a higher incidence of complications, particularly CH, compared to previous national and international studies.

Quality of life in individuals with primary hyperhidrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Hyperhidrosis can be a debilitating disease that leads to the deterioration of well-being. In this study, the objective was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with and without hyperhidrosis by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist were employed. We systematically searched Cochrane Library, Embase and PubMed. Two authors independently assessed the literature and extracted the data. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects model was employed. The heterogeneity was determined using I2.

RESULTS

Eleven studies met the eligibility criteria comprising 4297 and 147,604 participants with and without hyperhidrosis, respectively. The risk of bias ranged from high quality to very high risk of bias. The individuals with hyperhidrosis had a higher Dermatology Life Quality Index (mean difference 8.53; 95% confidence interval 3.47, 13.58; p = 0.0009) and a lower mental component summary of the short form-12 or -36 (mean difference -6.15; 95% confidence interval -9.00, -3.30; p < 0.0001) than the control individuals. No difference was found for the physical component summary score of the short form-12 or -36 (mean difference -0.88; 95% confidence interval -1.88, 0.12; p = 0.085). Studies using patient-reported outcomes, not included in the meta-analysis, showed similar results.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with hyperhidrosis experience a reduced HRQOL that is clinically meaningful and leads to perceivable deteriorations in their well-being. The evidence shows a high degree of heterogeneity, which warrants additional studies.

The Impact of Hyperhidrosis on Quality of Life: A Review of the Literature

Hyperhidrosis is a condition of excessive sweating, which can have profound physical and mental effects. Hyperhidrosis is a significantly impactful and distressing illness that warrants equal attention as other more well-known dermatologic conditions. However, because of a lack of awareness among the public, stigma, and difficulty with access to treatments (due to cost or insurance coverage), patients are less likely to be diagnosed and treated. In hyperhidrosis, quality-of-life surveys can be useful for determining the magnitude of symptoms and to evaluate treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to conduct a narrative literature review to investigate the impact of hyperhidrosis on quality of life. A total of 49 articles investigating the impact of primary hyperhidrosis on quality of life were selected for the review. Hyperhidrosis is a potentially debilitating illness that affects multiple domains of patients' lives including their psychological, physical, and social functioning. Despite the significant impacts, patients with hyperhidrosis are less likely to seek care. Here, we explore these impacts, and disparities in care, in more detail.

Primary Hyperhidrosis: Prevalence, Severity, and Impact on Quality of Life among Jordanian Patients

BACKGROUND

Primary hyperhidrosis (PHH) is characterized by idiopathic, focal, bilateral, and symmetrical excessive and exaggerated sweating with a major impact on the quality of life (QoL). To date, there are no studies about the prevalence of PHH in Jordan and in the Arab region.

AIM

To assess the prevalence, severity, and characteristics of PHH in the Jordanian population as well as its impact on QoL.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was conducted in five hospitals in Jordan and included 4,500 attendants of outpatient clinics who were evaluated for the presence of PHH. To assess the severity of hyperhidrosis (HH), we used the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). To evaluate the impact of HH on QoL, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire was answered by our patients, either digitally or on paper.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of PHH in the Jordanian population was 3.2% (n = 144). The most common site was the axillae (63%), either isolated or in association with other sites. Both sexes were affected equally. The overall mean age of onset was 14.7 years. Positive family history was found in 35% of the patients. Nearly two-thirds of the patients presented with HDSS of 3 or 4. The impact on QoL was substantial with a mean DLQI of 12.8.

CONCLUSION

PHH prevalence in the Jordanian population is 3.2%, which has a major impact on QoL. This raises the need for addressing this disease to reduce its burden on patient lives.

Hyperhidrosis Prevalence: A Disease Underreported by Patients and Underdiagnosed by Physicians

Background:

Hyperhidrosis (HH) is a disorder characterized by excessive sweating beyond required for normal thermoregulation, as a result of the excessive functioning of the sudomotor sweat control system. HH is broadly classified into 2 categories: primary HH and secondary. Our aim was to study the prevalence of HH in patients attending dermatological outpatients.

Methods:

Randomly selected 832 attendees of dermatology outpatient department were requested to fill out a questionnaire for their presenting concerns to attend, the demography information (age, gender, and occupation), and presence of excessive visible sweating symptoms after the informed, written, and understood consent. This questionnaire was then evaluated by the researchers. And those who had a history of excessive sweating were evaluated in detail about HH by another questionnaire.

Results:

The overall prevalence of HH was 17.9% (149/832), whereas only self-reported prevalence was 10.2% (85/832) in the dermatology outpatients. Of 149 patients, 110 (73.8%) were of primary HH followed by 39 (26.2%) of secondary HH.

Conclusion:

This study showed a higher prevalence of HH in the attendees of dermatology outpatients of a tertiary care center but estimates that this disease affects a much larger proportion of individuals in the Nepalese population.

Primary hyperhidrosis prevalence and characteristics among medical students in Rio de Janeiro

Background

Hyperhidrosis is a pathological condition defined by excessive sweating beyond thermoregulatory physiological needs, which can cause substantial psychological impact and impairment of daily activities. Studies regarding its prevalence, however, are scarce and vary widely in their findings. The population of medical students is a particularly interesting subset for its recurring demand of physical contact during patient examination or procedures, and the potential for professional adversity. We aimed at furthering the comprehension of this disease prevalence and characteristics among medical students.

Methods

Questionnaires inquiring about the presence and characteristics of Primary Hyperhidrosis (PH) were applied through either written or digital means to all eligible medical students enrolled in three Medical Schools in the State of Rio de Janeiro who agreed to take part in the study. Demographic data regarding gender, ethnicity, current age, weight and height was collected in addition to clinical data (sweat site, age of onset, familial history, severity and previous treatments). Severity was evaluated through the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and a symptoms survey.

Findings

Our response rate was roughly 1/3 of all eligible students (900/2700). PH prevalence was 20.56% (185/900). It was similar between men and women (23.08% and 19.41%, respectively) and strongly associated with family history of the disease (Prevalence Ratio of 4.27). Regarding ethnicity, of the total sample 73.78% (664/900) self-declared white, among which 19.28% (128/664) had PH. Mixed-race and other ethnicities encompassed 26.22% (236/900) of the sample, among which 24.15% (57/236) had PH. Most positive subjects (64.32%) presented associated forms of PH. Overall involvement of each site (both associated and isolated) was: 63.78% axillary, 50.81% palmar, 43.24% plantar, 20.54% craniofacial, 18.38% facial flushing and 2.16% gustatory sweating. Mean current age was 23.11(±4.04) years for PH patients, and age of onset was ≤18 years in 93.94% of cases. Regarding body mass index (BMI), 71.09% of PH patients had BMI<25kg/m² and only 4.69% presented BMI≥30kg/m², none ≥35kg/m². Some degree of life quality impairment was reported by 89.20% of PH patients, and 23.89% had HDSS 3 or 4 (moderate to severe).

Conclusions

PH prevalence among Rio de Janeiro medical students was 20.56%, similar between men and women, predominating associated presentations, axillary, palmar and plantar sites, strong familial history, age of onset before 18 years, and some degree of life impairment.