[Primary hyperhidrosis and anxiety: a prospective preoperative survey of 158 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the location of hyperhidrosis, the accompanying signs and symptoms, and patient anxiety assessed on 2 scales and standardized psychometric instruments.


METHODS
A prospective study of patients with hyperhidrosis was carried out between September 1, 2001 and June 30, 2003 with a self-administered preoperative questionnaire. The variables studied included the location of hyperhidrosis, the accompanying signs and symptoms, and the self-reported degree of anxiety and perception of its effect on daily life assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a questionnaire designed in our department.


RESULTS
Palmar hyperhidrosis was reported by 93.6% of patients, plantar by 70.2%, axillary by 66.4%, facial by 12.1%, groin by 8.2%, chest by 5%, and abdominal by 2%. While more than 50% of the patients reported facial blushing and palpitations as accompanying signs and symptoms, approximately 30% experienced epigastric pain, trembling, and headaches. Over half of the patients reported that their anxiety was incapacitating, and a mere 1.2% experienced none at all. STAI scores were similar to those of the general population whereas scores on our department's questionnaire reflected those of the self-reported anxiety ratings.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary hyperhidrosis is a disorder in which excessive sweating occurs mainly, but not exclusively, on the palms. The condition is accompanied by signs and symptoms typical of autonomic nervous system hyperactivity and by a degree of anxiety that has an incapacitating effect on normal life, although that anxiety is not detected by the STAI questionnaire alone.
Ramos
R
R
Servicio de Cirugía Torácica, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. ricardramos@ub.edu
Moya
J
J
Turón
V
V
Pérez
J
J
Villalonga
R
R
Morera
R
R
Perna
V
V
Ferrer
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires