The health-related quality of life in hyperhidrosis and co-morbidities

PURPOSE: Hyperhidrosis has been associated with a reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The role of common confounding factors of this association such as stress and socioeconomic status, however, remain largely unexplored, and may affect the management strategy for hyperhidrosis. Therefore, the study objective was to compare the HRQoL in individuals with and without hyperhidrosis while adjusting for confounders.

METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, data on the HRQoL measured by the short-form-12 questionnaire and self-reported hyperhidrosis were collected from the Danish Blood Donor Study-cohort. Data on international classification of disease-10 codes and redeemed prescriptions were collected from nationwide registries. Linear regression investigated the association between hyperhidrosis and HRQoL.

RESULTS: Total 2794 (9.1%) of 30,808 blood donors had self-reported hyperhidrosis and 284 (0.2%) of 122,225 had hospital diagnosed hyperhidrosis. Self-reported hyperhidrosis was associated with a reduced mental HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient - 1.10; 95% confidence interval - 1.37, - 0.82; p < 0.001) and physical HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient - 0.90; 95% confidence interval - 1.09, - 0.70; p < 0.001). Hospital diagnosed hyperhidrosis was associated with a reduced mental HRQoL (adjusted beta coefficient - 0.91; 95% confidence interval - 1.82, - 0.04; p = 0.049).

CONCLUSION: Hyperhidrosis is associated with a reduced HRQoL, independently of confounders or mode of diagnosis. This supports an approach primarily targeting hyperhidrosis.