US prevalence of hyperhidrosis and impact on individuals with axillary hyperhidrosis: Results from a national survey

BACKGROUND

The current epidemiologic data on hyperhidrosis are scarce and insufficient to provide precise prevalence or impact estimates.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to estimate the prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the US population and assess the impact of sweating on those affected by axillary hyperhidrosis.

METHODS

A nationally representative sample of 150,000 households was screened by mailed survey for hyperhidrosis and projected to the US population based on US census data. Ascertainment of hyperhidrosis was based on a question that asked whether participants experienced excessive or abnormal/unusual sweating.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the survey sample was 2.9% (6800 individuals). The projected prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the United States is 2.8% (7.8 million individuals), and 50.8% of this population (4.0 million individuals) reported that they have axillary hyperhidrosis (1.4% of the US population). Only 38% had discussed their sweating with a health care professional. Approximately one third of individuals with axillary hyperhidrosis (0.5% of the US population or 1.3 million individuals) reported that their sweating is barely tolerable and frequently interferes, or is intolerable and always interferes, with daily activities.

CONCLUSION

Hyperhidrosis affects a much larger proportion of the US population than previously reported. More than half of these individuals have axillary hyperhidrosis, in which sweating can result in occupational, emotional, psychological, social, and physical impairment.

The importance of classification in sympathetic surgery and a proposed mechanism for compensatory hyperhidrosis: experience with 464 cases

BACKGROUND

Compensatory hyperhidrosis is the most troublesome side effect and the leading cause of regret with sympathetic surgery. A new classification is proposed to make the procedure more selective and to minimize the side effects and regret rate. Also, a proposed mechanism for compensatory hyperhidrosis is discussed.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and July 2003, 464 patients with various sympathetic disorders underwent thoracoscopic sympathectomy/sympathicotomy (ETS) or sympathetic block by clipping (ESB) at various levels according to the authors' classification. The surgery was performed on an outpatient basis. The rates of success, compensatory hyperhidrosis, and regret were recorded.

RESULTS

All the patients were followed up for 17 to 35 months. All excessive sweating was effectively stopped to varying degrees. The 25 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis who insisted on receiving ETS of T4 experienced no compensatory hyperhidrosis. Of the 54 patients with facial blushing who received ESB of T2, 23 experienced compensatory hyperhidrosis. Nine patients expressed regret and requested removal of the clips. Of the 33 patients with craniofacial hyperhidrosis who received ESB of T3, 9 experienced compensatory hyperhidrosis. Three expressed regret, and reverse procedures were performed. For 324 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis receiving ESB of T4, no compensatory hyperhidrosis was found. Only two expressed regret because of discomfort. No compensatory hyperhidrosis or regret was noted with 28 patients who received ESB of T5 for axillary sweating. There was no recurrence in the entire series.

CONCLUSIONS

Different procedures are recommended for different sympathetic disorders according to the classification. The higher the level of sympathetic ganglion blockade, the higher is the regret rate. Therefore, for T2 and T3 ganglion, endoscopic thoracic sympathetic block by the clipping method is strongly recommended because of its reversibility.

Classification of Systemic and Localized Sweating Disorders

Hyperhidrosis can be subdivided into generalized hyperhidrosis, with increased sweating over the entire body, and focal hyperhidrosis, in which the excessive sweating is restricted to specific parts of the body. Generalized hyperhidrosis may be either primary (idiopathic) or secondary. Secondary generalized hyperhidrosis may be caused by infections such as tuberculosis, hyperthyroidism, endocrine and metabolic disturbances such as pheochromocytoma, neurological disorders, or drugs. Focal hyperhidrosis may also be primary (idiopathic) or secondary. Frey's syndrome is one form of secondary focal hyperhidrosis that occurs during eating together with reddening of the area in front of the ear following parotid gland surgery or injury. Primary focal hyperhidrosis is particularly common on the palms and soles of the feet, in the axilla, and on the head. Anhidrosis may be either congenital/genetic or acquired. Some of the most typical forms of congenital/genetic anhidrosis include hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis, and Fabry disease. Acquired anhidrosis is classified as secondary anhidrosis, which may be due to an underlying disorder such as a neurological disorder, an endocrine or metabolic disturbance, or the effect of drugs, or idiopathic anhidrosis for which the pathology, cause, and mechanism are unknown. Idiopathic anhidrosis is classified into acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis (AIGA), idiopathic segmental anhidrosis, and Ross syndrome. AIGA is divided into three categories according to differences in the site of disturbance: (1) sudomotor neuropathy, (2) idiopathic pure sudomotor failure, and (3) sweat gland failure.

Treatment of hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a disorder that may cause social isolation or occupational disability. It may be generalized or localized, and although frequently idiopathic it may be a manifestation of a number of important systemic diseases. Drugs, surgical procedures, and electrical devices may all be employed by the physician as therapeutic weapons to treat hyperhidrosis.

Type A botulinum toxin: a new treatment for axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is an invalidating condition, and one that is difficult to treat. It is characterized by an excessive and uncontrolled production of sweat by the sweat glands, often causing psychological, social, and occupational problems for the patient. Hyperhidrosis can be distinguished in two forms: idiopathic (of unknown etiology), or secondary, due to an alteration of the endocrine system (ex: hyperthyroidism, neuropathy, neoplasia etc.) It is found in about 0.3-0.5% of the population and can be localized (axillary, palmar, plantar, facial) or diffused. The subcutaneous injection of type A botulinum toxin, until now used only for the treatment of blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm, has shown to be a useful treatment for localized hyperhidrosis. The objective of the authors is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, safety, and management of botulinum toxin treatment in patients affected with axillary or palmar hyperhidrosis resistant to conventional therapies.