Abstract
The association of hidradenitis suppurativa with other skin diseases has not yet been investigated in larger studies based on dermatological exams. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence and cutaneous comorbidities of hidradenitis suppurativa in the German working population. Between 2014 and 2017, 20,112 people in 343 German companies were examined for the presence of clinical features of hidradenitis suppurativa within the framework of a cross-sectional epidemiological study based on whole-body examinations. In addition, all cutaneous comorbidities were recorded. Point prevalence was calculated and the differences between individuals with and without hidradenitis suppurativa were determined by bivariate analysis. All statistical procedures were performed using SPSS 23.0 for Windows. Of 20,112 people examined, mean age was 43.6 ± 10.5 years; 52.3% were male. In total, n = 57 people (0.3%) with hidradenitis suppurativa were identified; 61.4% (n = 35) being male. In addition, non-inflammatory hidradenitis suppurativa-related lesions were found in 674 other individuals. In a bivariate comparison, patients with hidradenitis suppurativa showed significantly more frequently the following cutaneous comorbidities: acne vulgaris, psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, excoriations, and folliculitis. We determined a point prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa of 0.3%. Since we have examined the working population, the healthy worker effect, which could have led to underestimation of prevalence, cannot be ruled out. The point prevalence of 0.3% for employed people in Germany and a prevalence of 3.0% for inflammatory and non-inflammatory hidradenitis suppurativa-related lesions show that hidradenitis suppurativa is an important disease for the whole health system.
Highlights
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that has become the focus of scientific interest in recent years
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first large-scale cross-sectional study of that kind based on physical examination
It should be noted that our data represent a point prevalence and most publications are 1-year prevalences derived from the secondary data analysis [19]
Summary
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that has become the focus of scientific interest in recent years. According to the Dessau definition (1st International Conference on Hidradenitis Suppurativa, March 30–April 1, 2006, Dessau, Germany), the disease is defined by recurrent inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and fistulas which occur chronically in typical localisations. HS causes substantial disease burden to the affected people. Movement restrictions, and scarring, which are partly caused by large-scale surgery, and secretions and bad odor, emotional and psychosocial impairment lead to severe restrictions in health-related quality of life [14, 16]. In routine health care, marked delays in finding the right diagnosis are common. The literature reports a diagnostic delay of up to 7.2 ± 8.7 years [19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
