The Frequency of Comorbidities and Their Effects on Disease Severity in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

INTRODUCTION: Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the apocrine glands which may progress with remissions and attacks. Clinically lesions are frequently located in the axillary, perianal, and inguinal regions which may present with painful nodules, abscesses, sinuses, or scars. Metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatological diseases can be associated with HS and may cause impaired life quality and mortality risk. Aims: In this study, we aimed to determine the demographic data and accompanying comorbidities of patients diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa, as well as to investigate whether is there any effect of comorbidities on disease severity.
METHODS: Methods: Clinical findings of 120 patients, who were diagnosed as hidradenitis suppurativa in our clinic or consulted to our clinic between 2017 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic and clinical data of the patients including age, gender, Hurley stage at presentation, smoking status, and comorbidities of the patients were obtained from medical records. The statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS-21.
RESULTS: Results: According to our study results, 49 (40.8%) patients were women and 71 (59.2%) were men. The average age of the patients was 35,23±10,25 (17-59), the average age of our female patients was in female patients was 32.5±9,47, and the average age of our male patients was 37.1±10,4. The mean age of disease onset was 25,44±9,03 (10-52). Thirteen patients were in Hurley stage 1, 80 patients were in Hurley 2 and 27 patients were in Hurley 3. Ninety-eight patients (81,7%) had a smoking history. Of 121 patients, 59 (49.2%) of our patients had comorbidity. Metabolic syndrome was the most common comorbid disease. The presence of comorbidity only makes a significant difference in terms of being in the first stage of the disease.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Conclusion: HS may be associated with various comorbidities, especially metabolic syndrome. Although we found no significant difference between having a comorbidity and disease stage systemic evaluation of the patients may be useful both in the early diagnosis and treatment of comorbidities and increasing the life quality of these patients.