Distinguishing hyperhidrosis and normal physiological sweat production: new data and review of hyperhidrosis data for 1980-2013

TY - JOUR

T1 - Distinguishing hyperhidrosis and normal physiological sweat production

T2 - new data and review of hyperhidrosis data for 1980-2013

AU - Thorlacius, Linnea

AU - Gyldenløve, Mette

AU - Zachariae, Claus

AU - Carlsen, Berit C

N1 - © 2015 The International Society of Dermatology.

PY - 2015/10/1

Y1 - 2015/10/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the production of sweat is abnormally increased. No objective criteria for the diagnosis of hyperhidrosis exist, mainly because reference intervals for normal physiological sweat production at rest are unknown.OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to establish reference intervals for normal physiological axillary and palmar sweat production.METHODS: Gravimetric testing was performed in 75 healthy control subjects. Subsequently, these results were compared with findings in a cohort of patients with hyperhidrosis and with the results derived from a review of data on hyperhidrosis published between 1980 and 2013.RESULTS: Approximately 90% of the controls had axillary and palmar sweat production rates of below 100 mg/5 min. In all except one of the axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis studies reviewed, average sweat production exceeded 100 mg/5 min.CONCLUSIONS: A sweat production rate of 100 mg/5 min as measured by gravimetric testing may be a reasonable cut-off value for distinguishing axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis from normal physiological sweat production.

AB - BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis is a condition in which the production of sweat is abnormally increased. No objective criteria for the diagnosis of hyperhidrosis exist, mainly because reference intervals for normal physiological sweat production at rest are unknown.OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to establish reference intervals for normal physiological axillary and palmar sweat production.METHODS: Gravimetric testing was performed in 75 healthy control subjects. Subsequently, these results were compared with findings in a cohort of patients with hyperhidrosis and with the results derived from a review of data on hyperhidrosis published between 1980 and 2013.RESULTS: Approximately 90% of the controls had axillary and palmar sweat production rates of below 100 mg/5 min. In all except one of the axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis studies reviewed, average sweat production exceeded 100 mg/5 min.CONCLUSIONS: A sweat production rate of 100 mg/5 min as measured by gravimetric testing may be a reasonable cut-off value for distinguishing axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis from normal physiological sweat production.

U2 - 10.1111/ijd.12822

DO - 10.1111/ijd.12822

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25599582

SN - 0011-9059

VL - 54

SP - e409-15

JO - International Journal of Dermatology

JF - International Journal of Dermatology

IS - 10

ER -