Epidemiology and clinical correlates of hidradenitis suppurativa in primary care in Italy

Abstract

Abstract Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a persistent skin disorder that is characterized by painful lesions or pus-filled lumps, mostly occurring in areas where the skin flexes. It is a disfiguring condition that significantly reduces the quality of life of those affected. Developing new, effective treatments for HS is crucial, but it is important that it be recognized and diagnosed early, especially in primary care settings. Objectives To assess the epidemiology and clinical correlates of HS in a primary care setting. The study utilized the Italian Health Search Database (HSD). A case-control design was adopted to investigate the clinical correlates of HS. Cases were classified as either “definite” or “probable” using an operational algorithm. Up to 10 controls were matched to each case based on factors such as calendar period, age, sex, and duration of follow-up. Results Cumulative prevalence of HS increased from 0.06% in 2002 to 0.46% in 2021. When only “definite” cases were considered, the prevalence was almost 10 times lower (0%–0.02%). Several clinical correlates were found to be positively associated with HS, including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, and depression. Conclusions This study found that correct diagnoses of HS were made, as demonstrated by the expected relationship with clinical correlates. These associations were consistent when probable cases were included in the analysis. This evidence could serve as a foundation for proposing a decision support system for general practitioners to help identify HS in individuals with certain coexisting conditions.