Epidemiological survey of primary palmar hyperhidrosis in adolescents

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in recognition and treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH), the epidemiological survey has hardly been conducted. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of primary PPH among adolescents in three cities of southeast China. METHODS: Stratified-cluster sampling was carried out and cross-sectional epidemiological survey by questionnaire was applied among 33 000 college and high school students. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of PPH was 4.36% affecting both sexes equally. Prevalence rate of severe PPH was 0.27%. The average age of onset was 12.27 +/- 2.12 years. The peak age of onset was 6 - 16 years, accounting for 97.2% of PPH population. Positive family history was found in 17.9% PPH cases. Besides palms, axillae and soles can be also affected. CONCLUSIONS: PPH affects a larger group of individual than previously reported. More measures should be taken to enhance the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of PPH.