Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis: Disease Characteristics and Functional Impairment

Background: There are few published data on the clinical characteristics of hyperhidrosis. Objective: To describe the functional impairment caused by primary focal hyperhidrosis. Methods: Patients with hyperhidrosis (n = 345) were enrolled at the Department of Dermatology, University of Würzburg. Controls (n = 154) were a convenience sample of subjects without hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis characteristics, health-related quality of life and functional impairment were assessed. Results: Patients with axillary hyperhidrosis reported a later age at onset and a higher prevalence of a family history of hyperhidrosis than patients with palmar hyperhidrosis. Sixty-three percent of patients reported occupational impairment related to hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis patients reported emotional and physical impairment, with a greater proportion of the axillary group reporting impairment. More than 50% of patients reported moderate to extreme impairment in personal relationships and in social situations. Conclusion: Primary focal hyperhidrosis is a serious medical condition, affecting work productivity, daily activities, emotional well-being and personal relationships.