Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 9, 2026
11:40
Quantitative Autonomic Testing
Published on: July 19, 2011
58.4K
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.
Neurophysiologie Clinique = Clinical Neurophysiology
|December 5, 2025
Summary
Sweating problems are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test (QSART) and SUDOSCAN reveal different causes of these sweating dysfunctions in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
Background:
- Sweating dysfunction is a common but often underdiagnosed symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Understanding the specific mechanisms and prevalence of sweating issues is crucial for improving patient quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize sweating abnormalities in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).
- To compare the diagnostic utility of the Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test (QSART) and SUDOSCAN in assessing sweating function in pwMS.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-five pwMS completed the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31) to evaluate sweating symptoms.
- Objective assessment of sudomotor function was performed using QSART and SUDOSCAN.
Main Results:
- Symptomatic sweating problems were reported by 29.3% of pwMS.
- Abnormalities were detected by QSART in 17.3% and by SUDOSCAN in 10.7% of pwMS.
- A positive correlation was found between QSART foot volume and SUDOSCAN electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) of the leg (r = 0.282, p = 0.015).
- pwMS with cervical spinal cord lesions exhibited significantly higher hand ESC values.
Conclusions:
- Sweating problems are prevalent in people with MS.
- QSART and SUDOSCAN identify distinct aspects of sudomotor dysfunction in pwMS, highlighting the complexity of autonomic involvement in MS.
