title: Quantitative assessment of the intensity of palmar and plantar sweating in patients with primary palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare individuals with and without hyperhidrosis in terms of the intensity of palmar and plantar sweating.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected 50 patients clinically diagnosed with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis and 25 normal individuals as controls. We quantified sweating using a portable noninvasive electronic device that has relative humidity and temperature sensors to measure transepidermal water loss. All of the individuals had a body mass index of 20-25 kg/cm². Subjects remained at rest for 20-30 min before the measurements in order to reduce external interference. The measurements were carried out in a climate-controlled environment (21-24ºC). Measurements were carried out on the hypothenar region on both hands and on the medial plantar region on both feet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the palmoplantar hyperhidrosis group, the mean transepidermal water loss on the hands and feet was 133.6 ± 51.0 g/m²/h and 71.8 ± 40.3 g/m²/h, respectively, compared with 37.9 ± 18.4 g/m²/h and 27.6 ± 14.3 g/m²/h, respectively, in the control group. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001 for hands and feet).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This method proved to be an accurate and reliable tool to quantify palmar and plantar sweating when performed by a trained and qualified professional.
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, Brazil. brunoyps@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Bruno Yoshihiro Parlato
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Sakiyama
authors.forename: Thaís Vera
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ishy
authors.forename: José Ribas Milanez de
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kauffman
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wolosker
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005528:Foot; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology