Abstract
Introduction: Overweight is a well-established risk factor for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). In this cross-sectional study, we compare HS patients with a high body mass index (BMI) with HS patients with a low BMI to investigate differences in disease characteristics. Materials and method: Patients were recruited from 17 dermatological centres from four continents. A total of 246 patients with a BMI below 25 were compared to 205 patients with a BMI of above 35. Results: Patients with a high BMI suffered more severe disease (Hurley, physician global assessment, number of areas affected and patient-reported severity (PRS), P < 0.001 for all). There was no difference in smoking (P = 0.783) nor in family history (P = 0.088). In both low and high BMI patients, early onset of HS was a predictor of positive family history (P < 0.001, for each). For low BMI patients, an increase in BMI significantly increased PRS (P < 0.001). For patients with a high BMI, number of pack-years significantly increased PRS (P = 0.001). Cluster analysis of eruption patterns was location specific for low BMI patients but severity specific for high BMI patients. Discussion: Patients with a low and high BMI could represent two clinically different subtypes. We suggest a non-linear relationship between BMI and impact of HS. As patients go from a low BMI patient to a high BMI patient (or from high to low), eruption patterns and risk factors may change.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 307-312 |
Number of pages | 6 |
ISSN | 0926-9959 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2018 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Age of Onset
- Body Mass Index
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa/classification
- Humans
- Male
- Obesity/complications
- Protective Factors
- Risk Factors
- Severity of Illness Index
- Smoking
- Young Adult