Diagnostic Delay in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Still an Unsolved Problem

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Inflammatory Skin Diseases
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
• Delayed diagnosis of HS leads to severe local complications, systemic diseases, and reduced treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the diagnostic delay in HS patients.
• To identify factors contributing to diagnostic delays in HS.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study.
• Analysis of clinical records from 285 HS patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2022 at a tertiary hospital.

Main Results:

• The average diagnostic delay for HS was 10.1 years, with no improvement over time.
• Delays were associated with earlier symptom onset, specific lesion locations (breasts, thighs), follicular phenotype, and comorbidities (cardiovascular, psychiatric).
• Smoking, higher BMI, and disease severity influenced diagnostic timelines, while a history of acne was linked to earlier diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Diagnostic delays for HS have not improved and are linked to less typical clinical presentations and systemic conditions.
• Early identification of HS is crucial to mitigate long-term complications and improve patient outcomes.