Elimination of spurious absent sweat response in QSWEAT recordings.

INTRODUCTION

Forearm QSWEAT recordings are occasionally absent in females, likely due to high skin resistance.

METHODS

We identified consecutive subjects with no sudomotor abnormalities but absent/markedly reduced QSWEAT forearm volume, and repeated QSWEAT at the same site after gentle abrasion.

RESULTS

QSWEAT volumes were absent for 4 subjects and markedly reduced for the other 4 (median 0.01, IQR 0-0.03). After gentle skin abrasion, repeat volumes were significantly higher for all subjects and became normal in 7 of 8 subjects.

DISCUSSION: Skin abrasion restores QSWEAT volumes in previously absent/markedly reduced site suggesting that skin preparation using abrasion is more effective.