Sweat output measurement of the post-ganglion sudomotor response by Q-Sweat test: a normative database of Chinese individuals.
BACKGROUND
Q-Sweat is a model used for evaluating the post-ganglionic sudomotor function by assessing sweat response. This study aimed to establish the normative database of Q-Sweat test among Chinese individuals since this type of information is currently lacking.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty (150) healthy volunteers, 76 men and 74 women with age range of 22-76 years were included. Skin temperature and sweat onset latency measured at the four sites (i.e., the forearm, proximal leg, distal leg, and the foot) did not significantly correlate with age, gender, body height (BH), body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI) but the total sweat volume measured in all four sites significantly correlated with sex, BH, and BW. Except for the distal leg, the total sweat volume measured at the other three sites had a significant correlation with BMI. In terms of gender, men had larger total sweat volume, with median differences at the forearm, proximal leg, distal leg, and foot of 0.591 μl, 0.693 μl, 0.696 μl, and 0.358 μl, respectively. Regarding BW difference (≥62 and < 62 Kg), those with BW ≥62 Kg had larger total sweat volume. Median differences at the forearm, proximal leg, distal leg, and foot were 0.538 μl, 0.744 μl, 0.695 μl, and 0.338 μl, respectively. There was an uneven distribution of male and female participants in the two BW groups. In all conditions, the total sweat volume recorded at the foot site was the smallest.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report to show the normative database of sweat response in Chinese participants evaluated using Q-Sweat device. This normative database can help guide further research on post-ganglionic sudomotor or related clinical practice involving a Chinese population.
Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. ycchuang@cgmh.org.tw
Shu-Fang
SF
Chen
Ya-Ting
YT
Chang
Cheng-Hsien
CH
Lu
Chi-Ren
CR
Huang
Nei-Wen
NW
Tsai
Chiung-Chih
CC
Chang
Chih-Cheng
CC
Huang
Yao-Chung
YC
Chuang
Wen-Neng
WN
Chang
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012737:Sex Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013542:Sweat / Q000502:physiology*; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult