Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

Interventional Management of Hyperhidrosis in Secondary Care: A Systematic Review

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Dawn CraigORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Background Hyperhidrosis is uncontrollable excessive sweating, which occurs at rest, regardless of temperature. The symptoms of hyperhidrosis can significantly affect quality of life. Objectives To undertake a systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and safety of treatments available in secondary care for the management of primary hyperhidrosis. Methods Fifteen databases (including trial registers) were searched to July 2016 to identify studies of secondary care treatments for primary hyperhidrosis. For each intervention randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included, where available; where RCT evidence was lacking, non-randomised trials or large prospective case series were included. Outcomes of interest included disease severity, sweat rate, quality of life, patient satisfaction and adverse events. Trial quality was assessed using a modified version of the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results were pooled in pair-wise meta-analyses where appropriate, otherwise a narrative synthesis was presented. Results Fifty studies were included in the review; 32 RCTs, 17 Non-RCTs and one case series. Studies varied in terms of population, intervention and methods of outcome assessment. Most studies were small, at high risk of bias and poorly reported. The interventions assessed were iontophoresis, botulinum toxin injections (BTX), anticholinergic medications, curettage and newer energy based technologies that damage the sweat gland. Conclusions The evidence for the effectiveness and safety of treatments for primary hyperhidrosis is limited overall, and few firm conclusions can be drawn. However, there is moderate quality evidence to support the use of BTX for axillary hyperhidrosis. A trial comparing BTX with iontophoresis for palmar hyperhidrosis is warranted.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Wade R, Llewellyn A, Jones-Diette J, Wright K, Rice S, Layton AM, Levell NJ, Craig D, Woolacott N

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: British Journal of Dermatology

Year: 2018

Volume: 179

Issue: 3

Pages: 599-608

Print publication date: 01/09/2018

Online publication date: 24/03/2018

Acceptance date: 06/03/2018

ISSN (print): 0007-0963

ISSN (electronic): 1365-2133

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.16558

DOI: 10.1111/bjd.16558


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Share