Epidemiology

Abstract

The ultimate aim of epidemiologic research is to find means to prevent disease onset (primary prevention) and to restore health once a disease has been developed (secondary prevention). Additional purposes are to evaluate and optimize healthcare. It is not surprising that the main clinical areas covered by epidemiologic research are those associated with a high mortality rate in the population as a whole, such as tumors, and those involving a major disability problem, for example chronic inflammatory diseases. I believe that hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) belongs to this second group. However, the disease has been the subject of limited epidemiologic interest.