Low Utilization of the Dermatology Ambulatory Encounter among Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Analysis in the USA.

BACKGROUND

There are limited data evaluating the utilization of dermatologists for the care of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the utilization of the dermatology ambulatory encounter among hidradenitis suppurativa patients, and to evaluate whether utilization varies by insurance status.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort analysis in an adult population sample of 42,030 hidradenitis suppurativa patients with either private or public health insurance who were identified by a validated scheme using SNOMED-CT terminology. The primary outcome was a dichotomous variable defined as having at least 1 ambulatory encounter with a dermatologist over a 3-year period.

RESULTS

Overall, 21.8% (9,170/42,020) of the hidradenitis suppurativa patients had at least 1 ambulatory encounter with a dermatologist. This proportion did not significantly vary between patients with private insurance (22%), Medicaid (21.6%), and Medicare (21.7%).

CONCLUSION

Utilization of the ambulatory dermatology encounter among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa is low in the USA. Factors other than insurance status influence this level of utilization.