Objective: This study aimed to evaluate primary hyperhidrosis (PHH) prevalence, management satisfaction, and quality of life before and after the management in patients with PHH.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Dermatology Clinic at King Fahad University Hospital in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. A total of 31 hyperhidrosis patients filled out the questionnaire via phone calls. The study included all adults with PHH who had received management. The severity of hyperhidrosis was measured by the hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS) and the impact on life was measured by the hyperhidrosis quality of life index (HidroQolL).
Results: The study found a prevalence of 0.02% for PHH, with males comprising 65% of the cases. Additionally, 80% of the participants were above the age of 25 years. A positive family history was found in 60% of cases, 36% of participants reported a preference for spicy food, and 55% of patients reported experiencing hyperhidrosis in >2 areas, which indicated severe hyperhidrosis. The plantar region was the most reported site (80%). Regarding management, aluminum chloride hexahydrate was the most frequently used method at 60%, and lontophoresis was the least favored. Thoracic sympathectomy was the preferred choice for 60% of patients. Based on the HidroQoL, thoracic sympathectomy revealed a statistically significant improvement in severity (p-value = 0.009).
Conclusion: PHH significantly impacts the quality of life, which can be drastically improved with accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Key words: Primary hyperhidrosis, prevalence, treatment, satisfaction, Saudi Arabia
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