Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the 30 patients enrolled in the study

Patients’ characteristics

Age—Mean (± SD) [min–max]

55.8 (± 15.5) [21.6–77.6]

56.2 (± 16) [21.6–77.6]

54.1 (± 13.6) [42–68.5]

Sex Ratio (F/M)

1

1

1

Family history of disease—n (%)

24 (80)

21 (80.8)

3 (75)

Age at first signs (Y)—Mean (± SD) [min—max]

28.9 (± 13.9) [8–72]

29.5 (± 14) [8–72]

24.8 (± 14.5) [13–44]

Age at diagnosis (Y)—Mean (± SD) [min—max]

41 (± 17.2) [14–73]

41.8 (± 17.1) [18–73]

35.3 (± 19.6) [14–58]

Duration of the disease (Y)—Mean (± SD) [min—max]

27.1 (± 16.5) [0.6–59.5]

26.7 (± 17.7) [0.6–59.5]

29.3 (± 4.3) [24.5–34.8]

Previous treatments

Topical treatments—n (%)

30 (100)

26 (100)

4 (100)

Antiseptics, emollients, antibiotics

30 (100)

26 (100)

4 (100)

Steroids

30 (100)

26 (100)

4 (100)

Tacrolimus

7 (23)

7 (27)

0 (0)

Systemic treatments—n (%)

18 (60)

15 (58)

3 (75)

Antibiotics

17 (57)

15 (58)

2 (50)

Retinoids

3 (10)

1 (4)

2 (50)

Steroids

3 (10)

3 (10)

0 (0)

Antihistamines

2 (7)

2 (7)

0 (0)

Interventional treatments—n (%)

13 (43)

9 (35)

4 (100)

Botulinum toxin

6 (20)

5 (19)

1 (25)

CO₂ laser (laser ablation)

7 (23)

5 (19)

2 (50)

Surgical dermabrasion

1 (3)

1 (3)

0 (0)

Photodynamic therapy

8 (27)

5 (19)

3 (75)

Disease characteristics

Characteristics of the selected areas

Number—Mean (± SD) [min—max]

3 (± 1.2) [1–7]

3 (± 1.3) [1–7]

2.8 (± 1) [2–4]

Location—n (%)

Axillary fold (uni- or bilateral)

23 (77)

20 (77)

3 (75)

Inguinal fold (uni- or bilateral)

20 (67)

17 (65)

3 (75)

Mammary fold (uni- or bilateral)

7 (23)

5 (19)

2 (50)

Abdominal apron

3 (10)

2 (8)

1 (25)

Disease severity—Mean (± SD) [min—max]

Total surface area (cm²)

271.7 (± 208.2) [43–995]

271 (± 220.6) [43–995]

276.3 (± 115.3) [120–398]

Global severity (score/4)

2.89 (± 0.68) [2–4]

2.86 (± 0.69) [2–4]

3.04 (± 0.67) [2.5–4]

Quality of life and psycho-social impairment

DLQI (score/30)—Mean (± SD) [min–max]

13 (± 6.84) [1–26]

13.35 (± 6.4) [1–26]

10.75 (± 10.14) [1–20]

DLQI > 10—n (%)

20 (66.7)

18 (69)

2 (50)

HidroQoL (score/36)—Mean (± SD) [min—max]

18.3 (± 7.8) [5–35]

18.62 (± 7.86) [5–35]

16.25 (± 8.14) [7–26]

Functional symptoms—Mean (± SD) [min–max]

Itchiness (VAS/10)

4.3 (± 2.71) [0–10]

4.05 (± 2.79) [0–10]

5.88 (± 1.44) [5–8]

Cutaneous pain (VAS/10)

4.63 (± 2.86) [0–9]

4.8 (± 2.69) [0–9]

3.53 (± 4.07) [0–7.1]

Sweating (VAS/10)

5.8 (± 2.65) [0–10]

5.64 (± 2.78) [0–10]

6.88 (± 1.31) [5–8]

Odour (VAS/10)

4.79 (± 3.05) [0–10]

4.46 (± 3.09) [0–10]

6.93 (± 1.72) [5–8.7]

Skin infections during the 6 months preceding the injections

Number of episodes—Mean (± SD) [min–max]

5.69 (± 8.16) [0–40]

5.44 (± 8.33) [0–40]

7.25 (± 7.89) [0–18]