Treatment of uncommon sites of focal primary hyperhidrosis: experience with pharmacological therapy using oxybutynin

Primary hyperhidrosis usually affects the hands, armpits, feet and cranio-facial region. Sweating in other areas is common in secondary hyperhidrosis (after surgery or in specific clinical conditions). Oxybutynin has provided good results and is an alternative for treating hyperhidrosis at common si...

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Published inClinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Vol. 69; no. 9; pp. 608 - 614
Main Authors Teivelis, Marcelo Passos, Wolosker, Nelson, Krutman, Mariana, Kauffman, Paulo, de Campos, José Ribas Milanez, Puech-Leão, Pedro
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Portuguese
Published Brazil Elsevier España, S.L.U 01.09.2014
Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo
Faculdade de Medicina / USP
Elsevier España
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Summary:Primary hyperhidrosis usually affects the hands, armpits, feet and cranio-facial region. Sweating in other areas is common in secondary hyperhidrosis (after surgery or in specific clinical conditions). Oxybutynin has provided good results and is an alternative for treating hyperhidrosis at common sites. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of oxybutynin as a treatment for primary sweating at uncommon sites (e.g., the back and groin). This retrospective study analyzed 20 patients (10 females) who received oxybutynin for primary focal hyperhidrosis at uncommon sites. The subjects were evaluated to determine quality of life before beginning oxybutynin and six weeks afterward and they were assigned grades (on a scale from 0 to 10) to measure their improvement at each site of excessive sweating after six weeks and at the last consult. The median follow-up time with oxybutynin was 385 days (133-1526 days). The most common sites were the back (n = 7) and groin (n = 5). After six weeks, the quality of life improved in 85% of the subjects. Dry mouth was very common and was reported by 16 patients, 12 of whom reported moderate/severe dry mouth. Five patients stopped treatment (two: unbearable dry mouth, two: excessive somnolence and one: palpitations). At the last visit, 80% of patients presented with moderate/great improvement at the main sites of sweating. After six weeks, more than 80% of the patients presented with improvements in their overall quality of life and at the most important site of sweating. Side effects were common (80% reported at least one side effect) and caused 25% of the patients to discontinue treatment. Oxybutynin is effective for treating bothersome hyperhidrosis, even at atypical locations and most patients cope well with the side effects.
Bibliography:Teivelis MP, Wolosker N, de Campos JR and Puech-Leão P were responsible for study conception and design as well as supervision. Teivelis MP, Wolosker and Krutman M participated in data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. Wolosker N, Teivelis MP, Krutman M and de Campos JR drafted the manuscript. Teivelis MP, Wolosker N, Krutman M, de Campos JR, Kauffman P and Puech-Leão P critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. Teivelis MP, Krutman M, and Kauffman P performed the statistical analysis. De Campos JR, Kauffman P and Puech-Leão P provided administrative, technical or material support. All authors have participated sufficiently in the work and take public responsibility for the appropriate portions of the content.
ISSN:1807-5932
1980-5322
1980-5322
DOI:10.6061/clinics/2014(09)06