An epidemiological study of hyperhidrosis.
BACKGROUND
Hyperhidrosis affects approximately 3% of the population. The nature of those patients presenting for treatment has not been well studied, however.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to perform a descriptive, multicenter study of patterns of patients referred for treatment of focal hyperhidrosis.


METHODS
A convenience sampling of consecutive patients referred for consideration of BTX-A therapy was surveyed.


RESULTS
A total of 508 patient records (266 patients from Canada; 242 from the United States) were reviewed; 62.8% of those patients were female. The most common presentation was axillary hyperhidrosis in 73.0% of patients. Most of the patients were moderately to severely affected by their hyperhidrosis, with Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale scores of 3 or 4. There were trends found of facial and scalp hyperhidrosis affecting more men than women and being triggered by food much more frequently than in other sites of hyperhidrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has demonstrated novel findings, especially in the differing presentations of hyperhidrosis between men and women.
Lear
William
W
The Cosmetic Care and Laser Surgery Center, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Kessler
Edward
E
Solish
Nowell
N
Glaser
Dee Anna
DA
D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012535:Scalp; D012737:Sex Factors