Proposal of a Sweating Test (Spot Method) for Disordered Perspiration in 30 Cases of Acquired Idiopathic Generalized Anhidrosis in Our Hospital

Abstract

Acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis (AIGA) is a rare disorder in which systemic anhidrosis/hypohidrosis occurs without causative dermatological, metabolic or neurological disorder. For the diagnosis of AIGA, the iodine-starch test (Minor test) with systemically applied iodine is generally utilized. However, this systemic approach is time-consuming and requires considerable expense for both patients and medical staff. Furthermore, the iodine application may disturb observation of cholinergic urticaria, which is frequently accompanied by AIGA. To overcome these issues, we developed a modified Minor test, in which the test is performed at 12 spot sites instead of the whole body. This Spot Minor test is considered more convenient than the conventional whole-body one. In our analysis of 30 cases of AIGA diagnosed with the spot Minor test, we found that the most predilection sites in AIGA of anhidrosis/hypohidrosis are the arms and legs.