Prospective Open-Label Study of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Patients with Axillary Hyperhidrosis: Effects on Functional Impairment and Quality of Life

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis experience substantial functional impairment and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Few studies have comprehensively 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 hyperhidrosis. METHODS: Patients treated with BoNT-A 50 U per axilla at baseline were assessed 4 and 12 weeks later. Outcome measures included functional impairment as assessed by the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale and the Hyperhidrosis Impact Questionnaire and dermatology-specific HRQOL as assessed by the Dermatology 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 reductions in disease severity and functional impairment, as well as improvements in HRQOL, were seen following BoNT-A treatment. BoNT-A was safe and well tolerated, producing high levels of patient satisfaction.     

Comment on the 'pilot' GRACIA-2 randomized trial: reply

We thank Dr Villata et al. for their thought-provoking comments.Their concern about the suitableness to choose combined endpointsin clinical trials deserves some comment.     

构筑健康教育工程实现社会医院双赢

介绍了四川大学华西医院10年来构筑普及医疗卫生保健知识系统工程的认识体会、经验和取得的成效,指出医院在普及卫生保健知识中的职责和优势。     

大鼠胼胝体神经元化学性质研究:Ⅰ.谷氨酸的免疫细胞化学研究

采用辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)逆行示踪与谷氨酸免疫细胞化学结合法对大鼠额叶和枕叶皮质内胼胝体神经元的化学性质进行了研究.结果发现含谷氨酸的胼胝体神经元为大中型锥体细胞,主要分布于皮质Ⅱ/Ⅲ、Ⅴ和Ⅵ层,并有成群分布的倾向.含谷氨酸的胼胝体神经元的数目约占 HRP 标记的胼胝体神经元的17%(额叶)和29%(枕叶).这一结果从形态学上证实,大鼠大脑皮质内相当一部分胼胝体神经元使用谷氨酸作为兴奋性递质。