Hidradenitis suppurativa: a common and burdensome, yet under-recognised, inflammatory skin disease

TY - JOUR

T1 - Hidradenitis suppurativa

T2 - a common and burdensome, yet under-recognised, inflammatory skin disease

AU - Dufour, Deirdre Nathalie

AU - Emtestam, Lennart

AU - Jemec, Gregor B

PY - 2014/4

Y1 - 2014/4

N2 - Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition that typically occurs after puberty. The primary clinical presentation is painful inflamed nodules or boils in the apocrine gland-bearing regions (armpits, genital area, groin, breasts and buttocks/anus) that progress to abscesses, sinus tracts and scarring. Severity is typically described according to three Hurley categories, with most patients having mild or moderate disease. Estimated prevalence is 1-4% worldwide and HS is three times more common in women than men. Patients' disease burden includes intense pain, work disability and overall poor quality of life. Although the clinical signs of the disease can often be hidden by clothing, active HS is associated with a malodorous discharge that contributes to the disabling social stigma. Risk factors include smoking and obesity. Comorbidities include inflammatory bowel disease and spondyloarthropathies. The presentation of the disease is distinct, yet HS is not well-recognised except in dermatology clinics.

AB - Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition that typically occurs after puberty. The primary clinical presentation is painful inflamed nodules or boils in the apocrine gland-bearing regions (armpits, genital area, groin, breasts and buttocks/anus) that progress to abscesses, sinus tracts and scarring. Severity is typically described according to three Hurley categories, with most patients having mild or moderate disease. Estimated prevalence is 1-4% worldwide and HS is three times more common in women than men. Patients' disease burden includes intense pain, work disability and overall poor quality of life. Although the clinical signs of the disease can often be hidden by clothing, active HS is associated with a malodorous discharge that contributes to the disabling social stigma. Risk factors include smoking and obesity. Comorbidities include inflammatory bowel disease and spondyloarthropathies. The presentation of the disease is distinct, yet HS is not well-recognised except in dermatology clinics.

KW - Abscess

KW - Absenteeism

KW - Anti-Bacterial Agents

KW - Cicatrix

KW - Comorbidity

KW - Disease Progression

KW - Female

KW - Hidradenitis Suppurativa

KW - Humans

KW - Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

KW - Male

KW - Obesity

KW - Odors

KW - Pain

KW - Pain Measurement

KW - Quality of Life

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Severity of Illness Index

KW - Smoking

KW - Social Stigma

U2 - 10.1136/postgradmedj-2013-131994

DO - 10.1136/postgradmedj-2013-131994

M3 - Review

C2 - 24567417

SN - 0032-5473

VL - 90

SP - 216

EP - 221

JO - Postgraduate Medical Journal

JF - Postgraduate Medical Journal

IS - 1062

ER -