Quality-of-life evaluation during treatment of hyperhidrosis

Abstract

The assessment of quality of life (QoL) is the best way to evaluate the short- and long-term response of the various therapies for hyperhidrosis as a disease that interferes directly with human behavior. The use of QoL questionnaires is the most practical way of performing this evaluation. Oxybutynin is a safe medication with proven effects, making it a good alternative for patients of all ages and for those who do not want surgery. It has a significant impact on QoL and sustained effect while continuing to be taken. Sympathectomy is the definitive surgical procedure that offers the best long-term results, with high rates of satisfaction and impact on QoL, despite being irreversible and always accompanied by some degree of compensatory hyperhidrosis. Although a minority of patients deny their occurrence, less than 2% of patients regret sympathectomy. The best way to prevent surgical regret is through robust patient selection and by avoiding higher resections in the sympathetic chain.