Prevalence of depression among children, adolescents, and adults with hidradenitis suppurativa

Background: Information on prevalence of depression among children, adolescents, and adults with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is limited. Objective: To compare prevalence of depression in HS patients with that of controls. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 38,140 adult and 1162 pediatric HS patients and controls identified using data from electronic health records. Primary outcome was prevalent depression. Results: Prevalence of depression among adults with HS was 30.0% (95% Confidence interval [CI], 29.6-30.5), compared with 16.9% (95% CI, 16.7-17.1) among controls. Among children and adolescents with HS, prevalence of depression was 11.7% (95% CI, 10.0-13.7), compared with 4.1% (95% CI, 3.6-4.7) among controls. In adjusted analyses, adults and children/adolescents with HS had 1.26 (95% CI, 1.25-1.28; P < .001) and 1.42 (95% CI, 0.999-2.01; P = .051) times the odds of having depression relative to controls, respectively. Limitations: We could not evaluate the influence of disease severity on the outcome. Conclusion: Depression is prevalent among children, adolescents, and adults with HS. Periodic screening for depression may be warranted.

Automated summary

The prevalence of depression is higher among children, adolescents, and adults with HS compared to controls, indicating the need for periodic screening for depression.