The quality of life and satisfaction rate of patients with upper limb hyperhidrosis before and after bilateral endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy

Abstract

Background: Hyperhidrosis is a functional disorder identified by excessive sweating. Its incidence is approximately 1% in any population. Bilateral endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (BETS) intervention is the definitive treatment of choice for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the quality of life (QOL) and satisfaction rate of patients with upper limb hyperhidrosis before and after BETS surgery and the influence of compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) on patients' QOL after surgery. Settings and Design: This study is a cross-sectional study designed to generate longitudinal data. Subjects and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study designed to generate longitudinal data pre- and postbilateral BETS prospectively. This study was conducted in the surgery department of University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hundred patients with upper limb hyperhidrosis who underwent BETS from 2014 to 2017 were included. A modified and validated QOL questionnaire for hyperhidrosis was completed by the patients themselves in order to compare the QOL for patients both before and after BETS. Patients' satisfaction and the occurrence of CH were obtained postoperatively. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using the SPSS®statistical package for social studies, version 22.0 (SPSS 22; IBM Corp., New York, NY, USA) for Windows®. Results: A total of 100 patients completed the questionnaire; 94% of patients had a positive QOL outcome after the surgery. The mean decrease in QOL scores was −42.0 points toward better QOL. The site of sweating had a significant effect on the patients' QOL before and after the surgery (P value < 0.001). Moreover, 76% of patients reported a high satisfaction rate. Conclusion: Primary hyperhidrosis can negatively impair patients' QOL in different domains. BETS showed to be an effective option for improving the QOL of patients and it provided both short- and long-term effectiveness in treating upper limb hyperhidrosis. CH did not interfere with the rate of patient satisfaction or their QOL postoperatively.