Clinical characteristics of a series of 302 French patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, with an analysis of factors associated with disease severity.

Abstract

Factors associated with the severity of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are not known. We sought to identify factors associated with the severity of HS. The severity of disease in a series of 302 consecutive patients with HS was assessed using the Sartorius score. Atypical locations were more common in men than in women (47.1% vs 14.8%; P < .001). Men also had more severe disease (median Sartorius score: 20.5 vs 16.5; P = .02). Increased body mass index (P < .001), atypical locations (P = .002), a personal history of severe acne (P = .04), and absence of a family history of HS (P = .06) were associated with an increased Sartorius score. The Sartorius score was highly correlated with the intensity and duration of pain and suppuration (all P values < .001). The referral center base of the study may have biased recruitment. Our data showed a significant association between the severity of HS and several clinical and behavioral factors. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the prognostic role of these factors.