OF THE CANADIAN DERMATOLOGY STUDY GROUP ON HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PRIMARY AXILLARY

BACKGROUND. Patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis expe-rience substantial functional impairment and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Few studies have comprehen-sively evaluated the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) on these symptoms. OBJECTIVE. To prospectively assess the effects of BoNT-A on functional impairment associated with primary axillary hyper-hidrosis. METHODS. Patients treated with BoNT-A 50 U per axilla at base-line were assessed 4 and 12 weeks later. Outcome measures included functional impairment as assessed by the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and the Hyperhidrosis Impact Question-naire and dermatology-specific HRQOL as assessed by the Der-matology Life Quality Index. RESULTS. At weeks 4 and 12 after BoNT-A treatment, 85 % and 90 % of patients achieved the a priori definition of treatment responder. Patients reported less occupational and emotional impairment, spent less time managing their hyperhidrosis, and had fewer difficulties in social situations. Adverse events were uncommon (5.5%), were mild, and did not require treatment. At study end, 53 % of patients reported no dermatology-specific HRQOL impairment and 90 % were satisfied with treatment. CONCLUSIONS. Significant, meaningful, rapid, and durable reduc-tions in disease severity and functional impairment, as well as improvements in HRQOL, were seen following BoNT-A treat-ment. BoNT-A was safe and well tolerated, producing high lev-els of patient satisfaction