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.