Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Quantitative Autonomic Testing
Published on: July 19, 2011
Characterizing sweating problems in multiple sclerosis: insights from QSART, SUDOSCAN, and COMPASS-31: Sweating
Katy Jerčinović1, Katarina Tešija2, Mašan Sredanović2
1School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Objective:
To characterize sweating issues in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) using the Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test (QSART) and SUDOSCAN.
Methods:
In 75 pwMS, sweating symptoms were evaluated using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31). Sweating function was assessed with QSART and SUDOSCAN.
Results:
Symptomatic sweating problems were observed in 22 (29.3 %) pwMS. Pathological results of the QSART (sudomotor index (SI) >0) were identified in 13 (17.3 %) pwMS, while SUDOSCAN results showed pathology in 8 (10.7 %) pwMS. We found a positive correlation between the QSART volume of the foot and the SUDOSCAN electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) results for the corresponding leg (r = 0.282, p = 0.015). pwMS with cervical spinal cord lesions had higher ESC values for the hand mean, left, and right (69.88±12.84 vs 76.15±9.29, p = 0.022; 69.88±12.82 vs 76.22±9.36, p = 0.021; and 70.33±13.00 vs 76.52±9.27, p = 0.024; respectively).
Conclusions:
People with MS frequently experience sweating problems. Using various methods to identify sweating issues in pwMS reveals differences in the causes of these problems in pwMS.
