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Long-term results of oxybutynin treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis

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Abstract

Purpose

Palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) is a common illness that significantly impacts Quality of Life (QOL). Oxybutynin offers excellent short-term results, but long-term follow-up results are limited. We evaluated its effectiveness in a large group of patients who did not have surgery and who had at least 6 months of follow-up.

Methods

Between September 2007 and September 2013, 570 consecutive patients were enrolled in our institutional protocol regarding the “pharmacological-first” treatment of primary PH with oxybutynin. Fifty-nine were lost to follow-up, and the data were available for 511 patients treated for at least 6 weeks. Data recorded at the start of the protocol, 6 weeks after beginning treatment, and during patients’ final visits were analyzed.

Results

112 patients (21.9 %) did not improve and were referred for surgery (sympathectomy). Eight (1.56 %) developed significant side effects (e.g., dry mouth) and discontinued therapy. Thirty (5.9 %) preferred surgery over pharmacological treatment. 111 have not yet received treatment for 6 months. The 246 patients with more than 6 months of follow-up (median 16 months, range 6–72) were analyzed, as follows: 90.2 % experienced moderate or great improvement in their PH; 90.34 % experienced improvement at other sites of hyperhidrosis following a median of 16 months.

Conclusion

Among patients with good initial responses to oxybutynin, more than 90 % experienced moderate or great improvement in their palmar sweating, as well as in their hyperhidrosis in other sites, after 6 months. The results were particularly favorable in those patients with BMI <25 kg/m2, and in those who noted an improved QOL after 6 weeks.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

Body mass index

CH:

Compensatory hyperhidrosis

PH:

Palmar hyperhidrosis

QOL:

Quality of life

VATS:

Video assisted thoracic sympathectomy

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Acknowledgement

No financial assistance was received in support of the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627 Room 423, A1 Building São Paulo, São Paulo, 05652-000, Brazil

    Nelson Wolosker

  2. Division_São Paulo, Department of Surgery, Vascular and Endovascular, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-903, Brazil

    Nelson Wolosker

  3. Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Vascular Surgery, Av. Albert Einstein, 627 Room 423, A1 Building_São Paulo, São Paulo, 05652-000, Brazil

    Marcelo Passos Teivelis

  4. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627 A1 Building, Room 423 São Paulo, São Paulo, 05652-000, Brazil

    Mariana Krutman

  5. Dermatology Fellow Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da, Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), Av. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255 São Paulo, São Paulo, 05403-010, Brazil

    Rafael P. de Paula

  6. Thoracic Surgery Division, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627 A1 Building, room 210 São Paulo, São Paulo, 05652-000, Brazil

    José R. M. de Campos

  7. Cardiopneumology Department, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HC-FMUSP), Av. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255 São Paulo, São Paulo, 05403-010, Brazil

    José R. M. de Campos

  8. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Nove de Julho, 3229 Room 709 São Paulo, São Paulo, 01407-000, Brazil

    Paulo Kauffman

  9. Division São Paulo, Department of Surgery, Vascular and Endovascular, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 01246-903, Brazil

    Pedro Puech-Leão

Authors
  1. Nelson Wolosker
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  2. Marcelo Passos Teivelis
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  3. Mariana Krutman
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  4. Rafael P. de Paula
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  5. José R. M. de Campos
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  6. Paulo Kauffman
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  7. Pedro Puech-Leão
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcelo Passos Teivelis.

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Wolosker, N., Teivelis, M.P., Krutman, M. et al. Long-term results of oxybutynin treatment for palmar hyperhidrosis. Clin Auton Res 24, 297–303 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-014-0264-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-014-0264-8

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