Evaluation of Quality of Life, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients with Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis Undergoing Treatment with a Microwave Device: One-year Follow-up

Acta Derm Venereol. 2024 Sep 5:104:adv40543. doi: 10.2340/actadv.v104.40543.

Abstract

Hyperhidrosis is associated with social and emotional stress, affecting quality of life. Microwave energy technology treats primary axillary hyperhidrosis by thermolysis of sweat glands. The successful reduction of sweating in patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis after microwave treatment has been studied, but there is limited evidence on the psychological and long-term effects. This study examined patient- reported outcome measures including depression and anxiety in patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis and the effect of microwave therapy on these parameters. Patients received 1 or 2 microwave-based treatments, within 3-month intervals. All patients were finally examined at approximately 1 year after the first treatment using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale, Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life©, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale©. A total of 103 individuals with primary axillary hyperhidrosis were included in the study, with a Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale score of 3 or 4. Statistically significant improvement in quality of life, anxiety, and depression scores were observed at 1-year follow-up. The primary endpoint, Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale of 2 or less 1 year after the first treatment, was achieved by 88.2% of patients. No serious adverse side effects were observed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety* / etiology
  • Anxiety* / psychology
  • Axilla*
  • Depression* / etiology
  • Depression* / psychology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hyperhidrosis* / diagnosis
  • Hyperhidrosis* / psychology
  • Hyperhidrosis* / therapy
  • Male
  • Microwaves* / adverse effects
  • Microwaves* / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures
  • Quality of Life*
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Sweating
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

Funding sources This study was initiated by the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University Hospital and was supported by a research grant funded by the Research Council in South-East Sweden (FORSS) (no. FORSS-932159 and no. FORSS-969108).