From the Guidelines
Hidradenitis suppurativa affects approximately 1% of the population.
Prevalence of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- The prevalence of Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been estimated to be around 1% in European studies 1.
- A French population-based investigation reported a prevalence of 1% 1, while a Danish study found a prevalence of 1% (confidence intervals 0.4–2.2) 1.
- In contrast, a US study using a health claims database estimated a lower prevalence of 0.05% 1, which may be due to selection bias and classification bias.
- The discrepancies between European and American studies may be due to different methodologies or actual differences in prevalence/incidence of HS 1.
- A higher prevalence of 2.1% was suggested in a study using a validated questionnaire in a population sample of 16,404 persons 1, and 4% in young adult women 1.
- The mean incidence of HS was assessed to be 6.0 per 100,000 person-years in an American county 1.
From the Research
Prevalence of Hidradenitis Suppurativa
- The estimated global prevalence of Hidradenitis suppurativa is found to be 0.00033-4.1% 2, 3
- In European and US populations, the prevalence is relatively higher, ranging from 0.7-1.2% 3
- A study in the United States reported an overall HS prevalence of 0.10%, or 98 per 100 000 persons 4
- The prevalence of HS is highest among patients aged 30 to 39 years, with an adjusted prevalence of 172 per 100 000 4
- HS disproportionately affects female patients, young adults, and African American and biracial patients, with adjusted prevalences of 137 per 100 000,296 per 100 000, and 218 per 100 000, respectively 4
Demographic Characteristics
- Adults between 18 and 64 years of age comprise 92.8% of HS patients 5
- A significant proportion of HS patients (31.5%) are enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid 5
- HS patients are more likely to be smokers, and have associated comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and mental health issues 2, 6
Epidemiology
- The incidence of HS seems to be rising 2
- Both genetic and environmental factors are associated with HS, including smoking, obesity, and hormonal factors 3, 6
- HS has profound negative effects on patients' quality of life, often culminating in social withdrawal, unemployment, depression, and suicidal thoughts 6