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

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.

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

“…During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, patients reported higher levels of depression compared with the general population [ 12 ]. Heiskanen et al found that depression was a common comorbidity in 511 patients with localized (11.6%) and generalized HH (28.6%) [ 13 ]. Anxiety was found in 12.7% of patients with generalized HH [ 13 ].…”

“…Heiskanen et al found that depression was a common comorbidity in 511 patients with localized (11.6%) and generalized HH (28.6%) [ 13 ]. Anxiety was found in 12.7% of patients with generalized HH [ 13 ]. In a sample of 44,484 patients with HH, Klein et al determined that patients had a higher odds of depression and anxiety compared with controls at baseline and follow-up [ 14 ].…”

“…Excess sweating of the hands can also cause soreness, crackled skin, and eczema [ 7 ]. One study found an association between focal HH with migraine, asthma, and atopic dermatitis [ 13 ]. Hand eczema was associated with local rather than generalized HH [ 13 ].…”

“…One study found an association between focal HH with migraine, asthma, and atopic dermatitis [ 13 ]. Hand eczema was associated with local rather than generalized HH [ 13 ]. Generalized HH was linked to hypertension and obesity, which has been shown in other studies.…”

“…10% of patients had progressively worsening symptoms and 30% had difficulty obtaining treatment. Heiskanen et al 2022 [ 13 ] N/A Retrospective study 511 11.6% of patients with primary HH had depression. Klein et al 2020 [ 14 ] N/A Survey study, cross-sectional 44,484 Higher odds of depression and anxiety compared with controls.…”