Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review.

[BACKGROUND] The clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections for the treatment in primary axillary hyperhidrosis is a subject of ongoing debate. This study aims to consolidate and analyze the available evidence regarding the use of BTX-A as a therapeutic intervention for this conclusion.

[METHOD] This study was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO. We included RCTs on BTX-A injections for PAH, comparing it to placebo or other treatments. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in multiple databases up to May 2024. Out of identified articles, some underwent full-text review and were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Statistical analyses were done using RevMan5.4, and study quality was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted.

[RESULT] Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria (n = 904). BTX-A injection showed greater sweat reduction compared to placebo by gravimetric measurement (116.12 [92.68-139.57]; P < 0.05). BTX-A injection showed comparable sweat reduction to other treatments by gravimetric measurement (26.14 [- 26.8, 79.07]; P = 0.333) and HDSS (- 0.85 [- 1.20, 0.50], P = 0.413). The pain score of BTX-A injection is comparable to other treatments (- 0.41 [- 1.11, 0.29], P = 0.456). BTX-A injection exhibited fewer side effects compared to other treatments (0.18 [0.07, 0.43], P < 0.05).

[CONCLUSION] In primary axillary hyperhidrosis, BTX-A injection significantly reduces sweat production compared with placebo, and there is no statistically significant difference compared with other treatments. BTX-A injection had less fewer side effects compared with other treatments.

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