Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Hyperhidrosis in Northern Hokkaido: A Single-Center Retrospective...

Hyperhidrosis is a common condition associated with a substantial negative impact on the quality of life. Several studies have described the clinical characteristics and disease burden of patients with hyperhidrosis in Japan. However, comparable real-world clinical data on hyperhidrosis from Hokkaido remain limited. We therefore evaluated real-world clinical practice patterns at our institution before and after the establishment of a specialized outpatient clinic for hyperhidrosis. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the data of 144 patients who presented with hyperhidrosis between November 2013 and March 2025. Patient characteristics, pathways to care, treatment modalities, and treatment continuation were evaluated using data from electronic medical records. The sex distribution, age at presentation, and subtype distribution of hyperhidrosis in our cohort were largely consistent with those reported in a prior nationwide survey. Primary axillary and/or palmar hyperhidrosis accounted for 87.5% of all cases. After launching a specialized clinic in April 2023, we observed a substantial increase in the number of patients who consulted for hyperhidrosis during visits for other dermatologic conditions; this finding may suggest the presence of previously unrecognized patients. However, changes in hospital access policies may also have influenced consultation patterns. The treatment continuation rates for axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis were both approximately 40%. Among the treatments for axillary hyperhidrosis, sofpironium bromide gel was prescribed most frequently, whereas glycopyrronium tosylate hydrate wipes showed a higher treatment continuation rate. In conclusion, the presence of a specialized outpatient clinic may improve access to care for patients with primary focal hyperhidrosis and facilitate the identification of previously unrecognized patients. However, treatment continuation remained suboptimal, highlighting the importance of improving continuity of care in hyperhidrosis management at our institution.