Autonomic Function Tests in Primary Hyperhidrosis

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 19(6); 2001 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2001;19(6): 608-613.

일차성 다한증 환자의 자율신경기능검사

최용민, 박민규 박건우 이대희

고려대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Autonomic Function Tests in Primary Hyperhidrosis

Yong-Min Choi, M.D., Min-Kyu Park, M.D., Dae-Hie Lee, M.D., Kun-Woo Park, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine

Abstract

"Background : The cause of essential hyperhidrosis and its relationship to autonomic dysfunction are still uncertain. Autonomic function test in essential hyperhidrosis has been rarely studied and the results are variable. So we studied the systemic autonomic function test in patients with essential hyperhidrosis. Methods : We studied twenty-five patients with hyperhidrosis and thirty-eight healthy age-matched controls from August 1999 to July 2000. The amount of hydra-tion was measured by semi-quantitative method. The autonomic function test consists of four items; sympathetic skin response, heart rate variation with respiration, valsalva ratio, blood pressure and heart rate variation with position. We also checked BDI (Beck Depressive Inventory) and STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) to evaluate the psychological factor affecting the hyperhidrosis. Results : The amount of hydration was significantly increased in patients with essen-tial hyperhidrosis. The latency and amplitude of sympathetic skin response show no difference between two groups. There is no significant change in heart rate variation with respiration, valsalva ratio and blood pressure and heart rate variation with posture in essential hyperhidrosis patients. However, the mean STAI score of hyperhidrosis patients is higher compared to the normal population. Conclusions : The systemic autonomic function test of essential hyperhidro-sis patients shows no significant abnormality in our study, but emotional factors such as anxiety should be considered in essential hyperhidrosis. And more specialized studies should be designed to identify the systemic autonomic function in essential hyperhidrosis. Key Words : Hyperhidrosis, Autonomic function test"