Quality-of-life assessment in patients with hyperhidrosis before and after treatment with botulinum toxin: results of an open-label study.
BACKGROUND
Patients with hyperhidrosis, a disorder characterized by increased sweat production, experience substantial functional and emotional problems. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) has been shown to be useful in the treatment of hyperhidrosis; however, few studies have considered the effects of treatment on patients' quality of life (QOL).


OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to assess QOL in patients with focal hyperhidrosis; to investigate whether the impairment in QOL in these patients is related to the type of hyperhidrosis or the number of sites involved; and to compare the changes in QOL and the response to BTX-A treatment in patients with axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis.


METHODS
Patients with focal primary hyperhidrosis of the axillae, palms, and soles who had experienced decreased QOL and whose condition had not responded to conventional topical and physical therapies were included in this open-label study. Patients completed a self-administered Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire before and 2 weeks after treatment with BTX-A.


RESULTS
All 41 patients had experienced a decrease in QOL as measured by the DLQI. The impairement in QOL was not dependent on the number or types of sites involved. Treatment with BTX-A led to improvement in QOL in all patients, with the median DLQI score decreasing (ie, improving) significantly from pretreatment level (P < 0.001). The improvement in QOL and response to treatment were similar in patients with axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies with a longer follow-up period are needed to assess the long-term effects of BTX-A; however, preliminary data from the present study suggest that BTX-A improves QOL in patients with focal hyperhidrosis, independent of the presenting clinical picture.
Campanati
Anna
A
Department of Dermatology, University of Ancona, Ancona, Italy. campana@freefast.it
Penna
Luca
L
Guzzo
Teresa
T
Menotta
Lucia
L
Silvestri
Barbara
B
Lagalla
Giovanni
G
Gesuita
Rosaria
R
Offidani
Annamaria
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A