The Use Of An Objective Method (Continuous Exosomatic Electrodermal Activity Without External Stimuli) To Evaluate Patients With Hyperhidrosis Undergoing Video-Assisted Sympathectomy

2.ObjectiveTo objectively assess continuous exosomatic electrodermal activity without external stimuli in primary hyperhidrosis patients, before and after sympathectomy and compare it with responses to clinical investigation questionnaires. MethodIn a prospective study, 28 participants were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 18 patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis who underwent sympathectomy on the fourth and fifth costal arches, bilaterally and sequentially. The second group, serving as a control, consisted of 10 patients. The assessment involved 2 self-explanatory questionnaires; the control group completed the questionnaires once, while the sympathectomy group completed them before surgery, one day and 30 days later. Sweating was objectively evaluated by measuring electrodermal activity (EDA) using the MP36R biosensor from Biopac Systems Inc. USA. This was done by carrying out measurements before surgery, on the first postoperative and on the thirtieth postoperative using an exosomatic technique and a constant electrical flow. Measurements were taken sequentially from the hands and feet, for 5 uninterrupted minutes at each site, after 10 minutes of rest, in a comfortable sitting position, without external stimuli, and in an air-conditioned environment. The study also collected anthropometric, clinical, and surgical data, and no significant sociodemographic differences were observed between the groups. ResultsIn the group that underwent thoracic sympathectomy, there was a significant improvement in quality of life and a reduction in palmar and plantar sweating, as assessed by the questionnaires. Electrodermal activity showed significantly higher levels in the hands and feet of patients with hyperhidrosis compared to the control group during the preoperative assessment. After surgery, there was a reduction in electrodermal activity in the hands, and 100% of the sample analyzed showed a decrease in sweating. As for the evaluation of the feet, 67% of the patients reported a reduction in sweating, and 44% showed a statistically significant decline in EDA. ConclusionContinuous exosomatic electrodermal activity without external stimuli is a suitable method for assessing patients with palmoplantar hyperhidrosis, with appropriate clinical correlation compared to the questionnaires answers quantifying sweating and quality of life.