Quality of life before and after sympathectomy in primary hyperhidrosis: a recall-based paired analysis of 94 patients
4 affiliations
- 1College of Medicine, Alfaisal University , ,
- 2Department of Dermatology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre , ,
- 3Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University , ,
- 4Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Saud University , ,
Abstract
Objectives
Primary hyperhidrosis substantially impairs quality of life. Sympathectomy is an established treatment for severe focal hyperhidrosis; however, patient-reported outcomes in Arab populations remain limited. This study evaluated recalled preoperative and current postoperative quality of life after sympathectomy using validated Arabic instruments.Methods
We conducted a secondary, recall-based paired analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 94 participants with primary hyperhidrosis who reported having undergone bilateral sympathectomy. Participants completed an Arabic electronic survey between May 2024 and April 2025. Current postoperative quality-of-life scores were compared with retrospectively recalled preoperative scores using the Arabic Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index (HidroQoL©); severity was assessed using the Arabic Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were primary; paired t tests were sensitivity analyses.Results
The mean participant age was 30.7 ± 8.9 years, and 63.8% were men. At the recalled preoperative assessment, 55 participants (58.5%) reported Grade 4 disease severity. All 94 participants provided complete paired data. The mean daily-life score decreased from 8.5 ± 2.8 to 4.9 ± 4.5 [mean paired change -3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.5 to -2.8; dz = -0.88]. The mean psychosocial score decreased from 16.9 ± 5.5 to 8.8 ± 8.7 (-8.1; 95% CI -9.7 to -6.4; dz = -0.97). The total score decreased from 25.4 ± 7.5 to 13.7 ± 12.8 (-11.7; 95% CI -14.1 to -9.3; dz = -0.98); all p < 0.001. Thirteen participants (13.8%) reported a higher total score after surgery.Conclusions
Participants reported substantially lower hyperhidrosis-related daily-life and psychosocial impairment after sympathectomy. Recall bias may affect the magnitude and direction of these differences, which do not establish causal treatment effects. Prospective studies incorporating true preoperative baseline assessment, operative details, compensatory sweating, and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the magnitude and durability of these improvements.
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BibTeX
@article{alrodiman2026quality,
title = {{Quality of life before and after sympathectomy in primary hyperhidrosis: a recall-based paired analysis of 94 patients}},
author = {Yazeed A. Alrodiman and Qais A. Almuhaideb and Nasser M. AbuDujain and Khalid M. Alghamdi},
journal = {Frontiers in surgery},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fsurg.2026.1996976},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716772},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Quality of life before and after sympathectomy in primary hyperhidrosis: a recall-based paired analysis of 94 patients
AU - Yazeed A. Alrodiman
AU - Qais A. Almuhaideb
AU - Nasser M. AbuDujain
AU - Khalid M. Alghamdi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Frontiers in surgery
DO - 10.3389/fsurg.2026.1996976
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13716772
AB - Objectives Primary hyperhidrosis substantially impairs quality of life. Sympathectomy is an established treatment for severe focal hyperhidrosis; however, patient-reported outcomes in Arab populations remain limited. This study evaluated recalled preoperative and current postoperative quality of life after sympathectomy using validated Arabic instruments.Methods We conducted a secondary, recall-based paired analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 94 participants with primary hyperhidrosis who reported having undergone bilateral sympathectomy. Participants completed an Arabic electronic survey between May 2024 and April 2025. Current postoperative quality-of-life scores were compared with retrospectively recalled preoperative scores using the Arabic Hyperhidrosis Quality of Life Index (HidroQoL©); severity was assessed using the Arabic Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were primary; paired t tests were sensitivity analyses.Results The mean participant age was 30.7 ± 8.9 years, and 63.8% were men. At the recalled preoperative assessment, 55 participants (58.5%) reported Grade 4 disease severity. All 94 participants provided complete paired data. The mean daily-life score decreased from 8.5 ± 2.8 to 4.9 ± 4.5 [mean paired change -3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.5 to -2.8; dz = -0.88]. The mean psychosocial score decreased from 16.9 ± 5.5 to 8.8 ± 8.7 (-8.1; 95% CI -9.7 to -6.4; dz = -0.97). The total score decreased from 25.4 ± 7.5 to 13.7 ± 12.8 (-11.7; 95% CI -14.1 to -9.3; dz = -0.98); all p < 0.001. Thirteen participants (13.8%) reported a higher total score after surgery.Conclusions Participants reported substantially lower hyperhidrosis-related daily-life and psychosocial impairment after sympathectomy. Recall bias may affect the magnitude and direction of these differences, which do not establish causal treatment effects. Prospective studies incorporating true preoperative baseline assessment, operative details, compensatory sweating, and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the magnitude and durability of these improvements.
SN - 2296-875X
ER -