Risk Factors of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has a high impact on quality of life. However, sexual health has scarcely been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the frequency of sexual dysfunction (SD) in women and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with HS and to explore potential risk factors.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using a crowd-sourced online questionnaire spread by the Spanish hidradenitis suppurativa patients' association (ASENDHI).

RESULTS

In total, 393 participants answered the questionnaire. SD was found in 51% (95% CI 45-57%) of women and ED in 60% (95% CI 49-70%) of men. Factors related to SD were education status, patient's global assessment for disease activity, numeric rating scale for pain and unpleasant odour and the absence of a stable relationship. Factors related to ED were increasing age, the presence of active lesions in the genital area and the number of areas affected by active lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of SD and ED in HS patients. Being in a stable relationship has been a protective factor of SD in women. The results suggest that sexual impairment in HS patients is due, at least in part, to disease activity, symptoms and active lesions.