Quantification of sweat secretion in focal axillary hyperhidrosis related to area and time: the hyperhidrosis area and secretion index.

BACKGROUND

Severity of focal axillary hyperhidrosis (FAH) hitherto is estimated semiquantitatively by weighting the secreted sweat with the sweating area visualized by iodine starch test. In this study, we quantified secretion (mg/cm(2) per min) simply by estimating the sweating area morphometrically via point counting. We have named the numeric value obtained the hyperhidrosis area and secretion index (HASI).

METHODS

In 183 patients (146 women, 37 men) with focal axillary hyperhidrosis, seen in a city hospital outpatient clinic, sweat secretion was assessed by gravimetry and the area of Minor's iodine-starch test determined by point counting. Values were analyzed with respect to gender, age, and body surface area.

RESULTS

HASI values, combined for both axillae, ranged from 0.21 to 22.8 mg/cm(2) per minute with only minor gender differences. Men had larger sweating areas than women did. The comparison of left to right side axillae did not disclose substantial differences. No correlation was found between age and HASI values. A subgroup analysis of 91 patients showed a good correlation of HASI values with body surface area.

CONCLUSION

HASI allows for a quantification of sweat secretion per time interval and area unit, thus facilitating pre- and post-test assessment of sweat intensity as well as a comparison between the results of different studies.