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Acquired idiopathic anhidrosis more common in young Chinese men

In a retrospective review of patients with acquired idiopathic anhidrosis, researchers found almost all cases occurred among younger, mostly healthy Chinese men, indicating a potential genetic predisposition.

All cases of generalized or partial anhidrosis without obvious causes and confirmed by provocative starch-iodine sweat test during a 10-year period were included in the analysis.

During the 10-year period studied, 15 patients were diagnosed with acquired idiopathic anhidrosis, and all patients were Chinese. Mean age at diagnosis was 28.5 years, and a significant male predominance was noted, with only one woman diagnosed.

The majority of patients were healthy, young individuals with no significant medical history and no clinical evidence of ectodermal dysplasia, according to the researchers.

“The majority of previous reports involved patients of Asian ethnicity, including our patients, and this seems to suggest a potential genetic predisposition,” the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.