Features Associated With Quality of Life Impairment in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients

The study conducted on 500 hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) patients in Germany found significant quality of life (QoL) impairment, with a mean DLQI score of 13.18. Approximately 60% of patients reported very large to extremely large QoL impairment. This impairment was closely linked to the severity of skin alterations, blood leucocyte count, anogenital localization, and the presence of nodules and fistulas. Comorbidities like adiposity and back pain also contributed to QoL impairment, while family history of HS did not. Surgical and conventional treatments, such as resection surgery and antibiotic treatment, did not significantly reduce QoL impairment, although abscess lancing was associated with more severe impairment. The study highlighted the need for patient-reported outcome measures to better assess therapy responses.