HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA - CHARACTERISTICS AND CONSEQUENCES

The general characteristics of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa have not been previously described in detail. Although rare complicati ons of the disease have been described, little is known of the average impact of hidradenitis suppurativa. We have now aimed to describe the general characteristics of the disease and its impact on patients wit h an established diagnosis of hidradenitis (n = 68) and compare these with those of an unselected general population sample (n = 523). Pierc ed earlobes were more common in patients than in the controls (P < 0.0 2). Female patients were younger (P = 0.0002) and better educated (P < 0.0001), and fewer had been pregnant (P = 0.0006). The median number of treatments prior to referral was two, and an average of 2.7 work da ys/patient per year were lost due to hidradenitis. The self-reported h ealth of patients was significantly inferior to that of the general po pulation (P < 0.001), mainly because of soreness and restriction of mo vement. Low-grade hidradenitis suppurativa therefore has a considerabl e impact on the health of patients. Previously implied associations wi th the disease such as the use of cosmetics or oral contraceptives, me nstrual cycle and body mass index (BMI) were not confirmed in our stud y, although they may influence the course of pre-existing disease.