PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study found that the effect of primary focal hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, on the quality of life of patients suffering from the condition is similar or greater than that of more commonly known conditions such as acne and psoriasis. The study, which reviewed and compared scores from the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) across a range of dermatological diseases, is being presented this weekend at the American Academy of Dermatology annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
“When a person must change their clothes several times per day, or is too embarrassed to shake hands on a job interview, raise their arm in class or a work meeting or hug their partner because of their excessive sweating, it severely impacts his or her quality of life,” said Lisa J. Pieretti, Executive Director of the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS). “Similar to psoriasis, hyperhidrosis should be recognized as a serious medical condition that can be easily diagnosed and treated.”
Hyperhidrosis is a chronic medical disorder characterized by excessive sweating that can result in substantial impairment for the patient, including limitations at work, social stigmatization and emotional and psychological distress. It is thought to be a result of a malfunction in the sympathetic nervous system, which regulates body temperature. It is estimated that up to three percent of the population suffers from hyperhidrosis.
Primary hyperhidrosis is independent of other medical conditions while secondary hyperhidrosis is caused by an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes. Primary hyperhidrosis is limited to a specific location on the body and usually affects the underarms (axillary), palms (palmar), feet (plantar), or face (facial). Symptoms of hyperhidrosis can manifest differently for the various areas affected, such as soiled or damaged clothing and shoes; wet, ruined paperwork; obvious sweat marks on clothing; or unappealing cold, wet handshakes.
“It is our hope that the DLQI study will raise awareness of the prevalence of hyperhidrosis as a chronic but treatable medical condition and that the negative effect of hyperhidrosis on patient quality of life is similar to that for other debilitating dermatological conditions,” said David M. Pariser, M.D., F.A.C.P., Professor, Department of Dermatology, Eastern Virginia Medical School and IHHS President. “Although up to three percent of the population suffers from hyperhidrosis, it has gone largely unnoticed by the medical community, due in part to people being too embarrassed to discuss their condition with their doctor and in part to many physicians lacking the education and awareness needed to recognize, diagnose, and effectively treat hyperhidrosis.”
Potential treatment options for hyperhidrosis include: * Prescription topical anti-perspirants; * Iontophoresis (the use of electric current to shut down sweat glands) for plantar and palmar hyperhidrosis; * Oral prescription drugs that block the neurotransmitter that causes sweat production; * Botulinum toxin type A, which blocks the nerves that stimulate sweat glands; * Surgical treatment, effective for palmar hyperhidrosis. DLQI Study Methodology and Results
The DLQI is a ten item dermatology-specific quality of life questionnaire with a total score ranging from 0 to 30 (a higher score indicates worse quality of life due to a dermatological condition, with a score of 0 indicating no impact on quality of life and a score of 30 representing the worst impact on quality of life). A literature search identified all publications reporting DLQI scores for a variety of diseases. Using studies with data on at least 20 adult subjects to ensure sufficient sample size, an evidence table was constructed listing the DLQI score by dermatological disease and treatment.
Seven of eight studies with pre- and post-pharmacologic treatment DLQI total scores reported data for at least 20 patients. Baseline DLQI total scores ranged from 9.1 to 18 for hyperhidrosis, 8.4 to 11.9 for moderate to severe psoriasis and 8.3 to 9.2 for moderate to severe acne. The lower range of the reported hyperhidrosis scores were similar to those for patients with psoriasis or acne (indicating a similar negative effect on quality of life), whereas the upper range of reported scores for hyperhidrosis were substantially greater than those for psoriasis and acne (indicating a greater negative effect on quality of life).
About the International Hyperhidrosis Society
The International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHHS) is a non-profit organization promoting the awareness of and research into the condition of excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Through their advocacy and programming, IHHS works to enable sufferers with access to treatment, and educates physicians about hyperhidrosis. Founded in 2003, the goal of IHHS is to improve the quality of life and diminish the suffering of those affected by this medical condition.
For more information about the IHHS and hyperhidrosis, see http://www.sweathelp.org/.
International Hyperhidrosis Society
CONTACT: Lisa Pieretti of International Hyperhidrosis Society,+1-215-351-9050, or mobile, +1-215-977-6336
Web site: http://www.sweathelp.org/