INTRODUCTION: Some cases of hyperhidrosis with beta-blocker therapy have been reported in the literature. We studied the prevalence of hyperhidrosis in a population treated by beta-blockers compared with an untreated control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients attending the cardiologic consultation of the Nancy hospital were included. Past medical history and medication were collected. Interrogation assessed whether the patient felt hyperhidrosis, and defined a hyperhidrosis score. RESULTS: Sixty-five subjects treated by beta-blocker and 100 controls were included. 36.9 p. 100 of treated patients and 38 p. 100 of controls experienced hyperhidrosis (p=0.88). 23.07 and 23 p. 100, respectively, had hyperhidrosis defined by a high score of sweating (p=0.99). Retrospectively, 8 of 24 patients experienced hyperhidrosis after the beginning of beta-blocker therapy. DISCUSSION: We observed the same prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the two groups. However sweat gland innervation involved both cholinergic and adrenergic stimulations. Furthermore, experimental studies showed an increase in sweating on efforts with beta-blocker therapy.
INTRODUCTION: Some cases of hyperhidrosis with beta-blocker therapy have been reported in the literature. We studied the prevalence of hyperhidrosis in a population treated by beta-blockers compared with an untreated control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients attending the cardiologic consultation of the Nancy hospital were included. Past medical history and medication were collected. Interrogation assessed whether the patient felt hyperhidrosis, and defined a hyperhidrosis score. RESULTS: Sixty-five subjects treated by beta-blocker and 100 controls were included. 36.9 p. 100 of treated patients and 38 p. 100 of controls experienced hyperhidrosis (p=0.88). 23.07 and 23 p. 100, respectively, had hyperhidrosis defined by a high score of sweating (p=0.99). Retrospectively, 8 of 24 patients experienced hyperhidrosis after the beginning of beta-blocker therapy. DISCUSSION: We observed the same prevalence of hyperhidrosis in the two groups. However sweat gland innervation involved both cholinergic and adrenergic stimulations. Furthermore, experimental studies showed an increase in sweating on efforts with beta-blocker therapy.