Continuous evaluation of exosomatic electrodermal activity in patients with primary palmoplantar hyperhidrosis.

Abstract

Objective: To objectively evaluate sweat intensity in patients with primary hyperhidrosis by measuring electrodermal activity using a continuous exosomatic technique without external stimuli.

Methods: This prospective and transversal study analyzed 10 patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis (HH Group) and 10 individuals without it (Control Group) between January and August 2023. All participants underwent one clinical evaluation and completed two multiple-test questionnaires without any intervention from the interviewer, based on their own estimates of sweat perception and anxiety or depression symptoms. Then, the electrodermal activity was measured with the MP36R, a portable instrument from Biopac Systems Inc. (USA), using exosomatic and direct current techniques. Data were tested for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Descriptive statistics were expressed as medians and interquartile ranges (p25-75) for numerical variables and as absolute and relative frequencies for categorical variables. Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the groups. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: Palmoplantar sweating was significantly higher in the HH Group than in the Control Group (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in anxiety and depression levels between the groups (p=0.87; p=0.32). Continuous exosomatic electrodermal activity resulted in significantly higher skin conductance in patients with hyperhidrosis than in controls.

Conclusion: Continuous exosomatic electrodermal activity without external stimuli proved to be suitable for the objective analysis of patients with hyperhidrosis in a non-invasive and sensitive manner.