Clinical Features and Patient Outcomes of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND

Despite the high burden of disease associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), epidemiologic data are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to review demographic features and clinical findings in 80 HS patients from 2 referral centres in Ontario, Canada, from October 2013 to September 2014, and to assess for factors that are associated with more advanced disease.

METHODS

Multicentre cross-sectional study. The data on demographic and clinical features were obtained by questionnaires and chart review.

RESULTS

Of a total of 80 patients (67.5% females), percentages of patients in Hurley stages I, II, and III were 15.4%, 55.8%, and 28.9%, respectively. Most patients were not diagnosed for more than 1 year (70.1%). Patients with more severe disease were more likely to be females and to have a greater number of lesions and were less likely to be diagnosed initially by a dermatologist.

CONCLUSIONS

This study documents the common demographic and clinical features of HS to optimize resource allocation and patient outcomes.