Objective: We conducted a 3-year prospective longitudinal study to investigate the development, evolution, correlates, and predictors of hyperhidrosis in patients with early-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Hyperhidrosis is an important non-motor symptom in patients with PD.

Method: A total of 224 patients with early-stage PD (disease duration < 3 years) were enrolled at baseline and followed up annually for three consecutive years. Hyperhidrosis was assessed by the hyperhidrosis subscale of the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) (item 30). The generalized estimating equations model was applied to investigate the correlates of hyperhidrosis. The binary logistic model was used to explore the predictors of hyperhidrosis by analyzing PD patients without hyperhidrosis at baseline.

Results: The frequency of hyperhidrosis in PD increased from 24.1% at baseline to 34.4% after 3 years. Hyperhidrosis was found to be associated with dyskinesia (OR 2.266 [1.018-5.042], p = 0.045), the sexual function domain subscore of the NMSS (OR 1.036 [1.006-1.066], p = 0.016), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) score (OR 1.078 [1.031-1.126], p = 0.001) and the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III) score (OR 1.022 [1.001-1.042], p = 0.036). The sleep/fatigue domain subscore of the NMSS at baseline was the only predictor (OR 1.093 [1.022-1.169], p = 0.010) for the onset of hyperhidrosis.

Conclusion: Hyperhidrosis is relatively common in PD, and its frequency tends to increase as the disease progression. Hyperhidrosis is not only associated with motor severity and motor complication such as dyskinesia but also non-motor symptoms such as sexual dysfunction and anxiety in PD. Sleep/fatigue disturbance may predict the development of hyperhidrosis.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/hyperhidrosis-in-parkinsons-disease-a-3-year-prospective-cohort-study/