Hidradenitis suppurativa interferes with socialization in the majority of patients regardless of objective disease severity: A cross-sectional survey study

ABSTRACT

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can severely impact quality of life. However, its specific impact on participation in social activities is not well studied. Objective: To assess HS’s interference with social activities in relation to disease severity. Methods: We recruited patients with a clinical diagnosis of HS (ICD-10 code L73.2) from clinic (n=30) and mail (n=123) to complete a survey. Respondents reported the extent to which HS interfered with social activities (none, a little, a lot). Disease severity was assessed using a validated self-assessment tool. Differences in disease severity were compared to degrees of interference with social activities using Chi-squared analysis. Results: A total of 67 completed responses were received and analyzed. Respondents were 22% Hurley Stage 1, 35% Hurley Stage 2, and 43% Hurley Stage 3 disease severity. Most reported HS interfered with their ability to go out (53%), engage in hobbies (57%), participate in sports or recreational activities (68%), go out socially or to a special event (65%), and go to parties (52%), with no significant differences by Hurley stage (p=0.31-0.68), though going out socially or to a special event (p=0.12) approached significance. Conclusion: Most patients in our cohort, regardless of disease severity, reported HS interfered with their social activities. HS is a physically and socially debilitating disease. Given social distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, HS patients may be even more prone to isolation. Interventions to help HS patients with their social support structure may be helpful in improving their quality of life.