According to a story from Healio, a recent study doesn’t bode well for people living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a serious and debilitating skin disease. The data found that comorbidities and treatment costs were on the rise for patients. Meanwhile, rates of diagnosis for the disease appear to be increasing in the US. The study consisted of a retrospective analysis which included data from 10,230 adult patients, 628 adolescent patients, and 51 patients less than 12 years of age.
About Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a dermatological disease that results in painful, inflamed lumps that appear around the groin, armpits, and beneath the breasts. When severe, this disease can be debilitating, negatively affecting daily functioning. The cause of hidradenitis suppurativa isn’t understood, but it is believed to be a result of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. The disease may have an autoinflammatory component. Potential triggers include obesity, hot and humid conditions, tight, nonbreathable clothing, and the use of certain drugs, such as lithium and oral contraceptives. The principal symptom is the appearance of painful lesions that often break and release fluid. They are slow to heal and leave scarring behind if they do. Some patients are unable to sit due to pain. Treatment includes weight loss, warm baths (in mild cases), stopping smoking, TNF inhibitors, steroid, laser hair removal, and surgery. To learn more about hidradenitis suppurativa, click here.
Findings
More patients were diagnosed by pediatricians or general practitioners than by dermatologists. Common comorbidities in adult patients included diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease, hypertension, obesity, and depression. Prevalence of these conditions increased over time. While adolescents had lower rates of comorbidities, rates of obesity and depression increased in this age group over time as well. Overall, the researchers concluded that the comorbidity rate was high even after patients were approved for treatment.
The researchers found that surgery wasn’t often used. Adolescents and adults used antibiotics at higher rates, with adolescents seeing the greatest rates of use. Adults were more likely to receive pain medication as part of their treatment. Biologic treatment was rare, despite the fact that a biologic was specifically approved to treat the disease by the FDA. The scientists found that most patient were receiving treatment from non-specialists, suggesting possible undertreatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.
Healthcare costs were $42,143 for adult patients and $16,057 for adolescent patients at the 2-years post-index time period.
Check out the full study text here.
