Differences in subjective and objective evaluation of hyperhidrosis. Study among medical students

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperhidrosis is a condition that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Qualification for treatment in most cases is based only on subjective evaluation of symptoms without objective confirmation. Aim: To evaluate the differences between subjective and objective evaluation of sweating among medical students. Material and methods: There were 179 participants involved in the study. Subjective evaluation of sweating was conducted using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and Numeric Rating Scale in 4 body areas: the face, palms, armpits and abdomino-lumbar area. Objective evaluation of sweating was performed using gravimetry. Results: The prevalence of hyperhidrosis in gravimetric measures was 1.12%. In subjective evaluation hyperhidrosis (HDSS 3 or 4) was present in 11.17% of cases. There was no significant difference in subjective evaluation of hyperhidrosis between men and women (15% vs. 9.24%; p = 0.32). In gravimetry men showed a higher perspiration rate on the face (5.85 vs. 3.38; p < 0.05) and in the armpits (17.27 vs. 9.12; p < 0.05). Individuals with body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 reported hyperhidrosis more often (28% vs. 8.44%; p < 0.05); however, in gravimetric evaluation, beside the facial area, no significant differences in above-mentioned groups were observed. Conclusions: There is a discrepancy between subjective and objective methods of evaluating sweating.