Hyperhidrosis tied to prevalence of anxiety, depression
(HealthDay)—Hyperhidrosis (HH) is associated with increased prevalence of anxiety and depression, in a HH severity-dependent manner, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Rayeheh Bahar, M.D., from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and colleagues examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with or without HH. A total of 2,017 consecutive dermatology outpatients were assessed for depression and anxiety using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scales.
The researchers found that the prevalence of anxiety was 21.3 percent and depression 27.2 percent in patients with HH, compared with 7.5 and 9.7 percent, respectively, in patients without HH (both P < 0.001). Positive correlations were seen for HH severity and anxiety and depression prevalence. The HH-associated increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression was independent of demographic factors and presenting skin conditions, in multivariate analysis.
"Both single variant and multivariable analyses showed a significant association between HH and the prevalence of anxiety and depression in a HH severity-dependent manner," the authors write.
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