Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder affecting the quality of life of women of reproductive age. In a previous study, sex hormone imbalances and alterations in autonomic function were present in PMS, with parasympathetic dysfunction and sympathetic overactivity during the late luteal phase. Palmar hyperhidrosis (PH) presents with oversweating, heat and emotional stimulation, sympathetic hyperactivity and parasympathetic hypofunction. We hypothesized that the incidence of PMS is increased in females with PH.
Methods: Data were retrieved from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Database. The patients with PH were identified by the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) disease code 780.8. Female patients matched by age and index day were used as the control group. The incidence of PMS was considered an outcome by the ICD-9-CM disease code 625.4. The factors related to PMS were analyzed by Cox regression.
Results: The adjusted hazard ratio for the incidence of PMS was 1.276 (95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.488) in females with PH.
Conclusions: This study found a positive correlation between PMS and female PH patients. Patients and physicians must understand the relationship of PMS with autonomic function alterations and other risk factors to prevent this problematic disorder.
Keywords: autonomic dysfunction; palmar hyperhidrosis; premenstrual syndrome.