Abstract
BackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) severely impacts patients’ quality of life (QoL). Surgery has shown potential in improving a patient's QoL in severe disease. Previous studies have evaluated QoL after surgery, but lack a disease-specific questionnaire to better evaluate the unique burden of disease that patients with HS experience.ObjectiveTo measure postoperative QoL in patients with HS using a modified version of the disease-specific questionnaire, the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Burden of Disease (HSBOD) Tool.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted using 19 patients who underwent surgery for HS. A demographic form and a 19-item disease-specific questionnaire were emailed to patients who consented to complete the survey. Patient-reported outcomes were recorded on a 0-100 scale (100 representing the highest burden of disease).ResultsOf the 24 patients that received the survey, 19 completed it in its entirety. The mean±SD Burden of Disease (BoD) score for each of the five domains assessed by the survey were: symptoms and feelings (62±27), daily activities (65±30), leisure (57±31), work and school (48±32), and personal relationships (56±27). Pearson’s correlation between the number of surgeries each patient underwent and their reported BoD scores were not significant. BoD scores were significantly higher in the symptoms and feelings domain for complex closure compared to both secondary intention and split-thickness skin grafting (STSG).ConclusionDespite having surgery, patients with hidradenitis still report impaired QoL. Further study is ongoing to determine how these measures compare to baseline preoperative values. This instrument provides a valuable tool to determine QoL in patients with hidradenitis.
Highlights
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that primarily affects the intertriginous areas of the body
The mean±SD Burden of Disease (BoD) score for each of the five domains assessed by the survey were: symptoms and feelings (62±27), daily activities (65±30), leisure (57±31), work and school (48±32), and personal relationships (56±27)
burden of disease (BoD) scores were significantly higher in the symptoms and feelings domain for complex closure compared to both secondary intention and split-thickness skin grafting (STSG)
Summary
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that primarily affects the intertriginous areas of the body. The characteristic pain, malodor, drainage, and chronicity of HS makes it one of the most physically and psychologically distressing dermatological diseases, impairing a patient’s quality of life (QoL) [3]. Additional factors that negatively impact QoL include delays in diagnosis, sexual dysfunction, and chronic pain. There is an inverse relationship between QoL and Hurley HS severity staging, which ranges from stage I (mild disease) to stage III (severe disease) [5]. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) severely impacts patients’ quality of life (QoL). Surgery has shown potential in improving a patient's QoL in severe disease. Previous studies have evaluated QoL after surgery, but lack a disease-specific questionnaire to better evaluate the unique burden of disease that patients with HS experience
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
