Treatment approaches and outcomes associated with the use of abobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of hyperhidrosis: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Botulinum neurotoxin type A has been used for the treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the literature to identify evidence on the treatment approaches and outcomes associated with abobotulinumtoxinA (aboBoNT-A) treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Methods: EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant observational studies, randomized controlled trials, and nonrandomized controlled trials. There were no date or country restrictions. Bibliographies of review articles and recent congress proceedings (2017-2019) were also searched. Articles were screened using predefined eligibility criteria and relevant data were extracted.

Results: Of 191 unique articles identified, 23 were considered relevant (3 observational studies, 10 nonrandomized controlled trials, and 10 randomized controlled trials). These articles provided data on axillary (13), palmar (7), and forehead (1) hyperhidrosis, compensatory hyperhidrosis of the back (1), Frey syndrome (1), and diabetic gustatory sweating (1). All studies reported that aboBoNT-A reduced sweating and no serious adverse events were observed. Patient satisfaction was high and improvements to quality of life were observed after aboBoNT-A treatment.

Limitations: Variability in the injection technique when data were compared across studies.

Conclusion: This study describes a range of treatment approaches and demonstrates positive outcomes of aboBoNT-A treatment for multiple types of hyperhidrosis.

Keywords: Frey syndrome; aboBoNT-A; abobotulinumtoxinA; botulinum neurotoxin type A; diabetic gustatory sweating; hyperhidrosis.