Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Estimated Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Risk Factors in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory disease with a global prevalence of 1-4%, characterized by multiple painful nodules, abscesses, and fistulas that form scars in intertriginous regions (i.e., inguinal, axillary, mammary). HS is a complex and debilitating disease with a negative impact on quality of life. We aim to determine the prevalence, clinical features, risk factors, and comorbidities of HS. Methodology A retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in King Abdulaziz Medical City from 2016 to 2020. Information of all confirmed cases of HS was extracted via computerized medical records. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Categorical data were calculated based on frequency and percentage using the chi-square test to obtain p-values. Results Our initial search yielded 196 cases, of which 13 were excluded due to incomplete medical information. The prevalence of HS was 1.29%. The mean age was 27 years, with a male predominance. More than one-third of our patients were morbidly obese, and most of the patients were in Hurley stage 1 of both genders. The most commonly affected area was the axilla, followed by the inguinal area. The most common coexisting disease was diabetes mellitus type 2, followed by lipid disorders and acne. Conclusions This study documents the common demographic and clinical features of HS. It is a challenging disease in terms of detection and management, and it is critical to raise awareness among the public and physicians to minimize the devastating impact on HS patients.