title: Prevalence and disease burden of hyperhidrosis in the adult population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although hyperhidrosis is a common and burdensome condition, little is known about the population-based prevalence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the epidemiology, disease burden and medical care of hyperhidrosis in German adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Employees of fifty-two companies underwent skin screenings and interviews including hyperhidrosis questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  14,336 individuals were investigated (36% women, mean age 42 years) of whom 2,340 (16.3%) reported hyperhidrosis, including 869 (6.1%) with frequent or continuous disturbing sweating. 28% showed focal hyperhidrosis, whilst 68% had a generalized condition. Predictors of hyperhidrosis were male gender and concomitant drug medication. Moreover, persons with psoriasis and with metabolic comorbidity were at increased risk. Only 27% of those with focal hyperhidrosis had consulted a physician, and only 28% used prescribed medication or self-medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hyperhidrosis is a frequent skin condition predicted by medical and personal factors. In spite of the disease burden, few individuals utilize medical care. Affected individuals should be encouraged to refer to a dermatologist.
authors.affiliation: IVDP - Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Healthcare, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Augustin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Radtke
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Herberger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kornek
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heigel
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schaefer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride; D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001252:Astringents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002712:Chlorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D014008:Tinea Pedis / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001252:Astringents; D002712:Chlorides; D000077410:Aluminum Chloride