Comorbid diseases of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: a 15-Year Population-Based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA

Background Like other chronic, inflammatory skin disorders, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is increasingly recognized to be associated with various medical disorders. Objective Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), we sought to conduct the first American population-based study examining the association between HS and various comorbid conditions. Methods From the REP database, we identified patients diagnosed with HS from 2003 through 2018 who were residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA, along with age- and gender-matched controls. The frequency of a wide variety of comorbid conditions was compared between the groups. Results A total of 1160 patients with HS were identified during the study period. Compared with age- and gender-matched controls, patients with HS had a significantly higher frequency of several medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, hyperlipidemia, acne conglobata, dissecting cellulitis, pilonidal cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, obesity, and disordered substance use, among others. Limitations Our study was limited by its retrospective design. Conclusions Providers caring for patients with HS should consider these results, along with those of similar studies, and obtain a thorough history, comprehensive physical examination, and, potentially, laboratory testing and referral to other specialists.

Automated summary

Using the REP database, this study identified HS patients from Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA from 2003 to 2018, and compared the frequency of various comorbid conditions between HS patients and matched controls. The results showed that HS patients had a significantly higher frequency of several medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, hyperlipidemia, acne conglobata, dissecting cellulitis, pilonidal cysts, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, obesity, and disordered substance use.