Clinico-epidemiological Profile of Primary Hyperhidrosis in Indian Patients: Single-center Experience

Abstract Background: Primary hyperhidrosis (PHH) is characterized by excessive sweating which is focal, bilaterally symmetrical, idiopathic with age of onset before 25 years of age. The QoL derangement comparable to chronic disorder like psoriasis. There exist a scarce data about prevalence, facto associated with PHH and its correlations with hyperhidrosis disease severity score (HDSS) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) in Indian population. This study aimed to bridge this gap. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study is to understand the features associated with PHH and to describe distribution of known etiologic factors of hyperhidrosis in individuals visiting the Dermatology OPD. Also this study assess the impact of excessive sweating on the QOL. Material and Methods: The study design is prospective observational study in patients visiting Dermatology OPD at tertiary care hospital. The study was questionnaire based and for appropriate case multispecialty referral and necessary investigation to rule out secondary cause was done. The study period was of total 18 months from Dec 2016 to May 2018. Data collected was analyzed by SPSS V 23. Results: In our study the male predominated with M: F ratio of 1.4 :1. Total 42,365 patients visited to dermatology OPD in this time frame and prevalence was found to be 2.6%. The mean age at presentation in our study was 24.5 years, with mean age of onset being 15.33 years (90% before third decade). Family history was present in 52.6% patients. Most common site affected was palmoplantar (43.8%) followed by palmar (36.3%). DLQI score was more in students as compared to salaried individuals or housewife similarly the palmoplantar HH patients has more DLQI score as compared to other site affected patients. Similar finding was applicable for HDSS scale. Conclusion: The PHH is underreported entity with prevalences of approx. 2.6% in our study. The impact on QOL is very profound and it is positively correlated with HDSS. There is felt need to carry targeted data collection for PHH.