Psychiatric Influences on Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Call for Help

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Psychiatry
• Health Economics

Background:

• Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is frequently comorbid with psychiatric disorders.
• The impact of psychiatric diagnoses on surgical and financial outcomes in HS patients remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate how a psychiatric diagnosis affects surgical interventions, healthcare utilization, and financial distress in patients with HS.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 138 HS patients (2010-2021).
• Stratification based on the presence of a psychiatric disorder.
• Assessment of procedural interventions, emergency department (ED) visits, and financial distress using the COST-FACIT survey.

Main Results:

• Patients with psychiatric diagnoses underwent significantly more surgeries (median 7.0 vs. 1.5) and had more ED visits (median 1.0 vs. 0).
• The psychiatric cohort reported greater financial hardship (p < 0.001) and lower COST-FACIT scores.
• Psychiatric diagnosis predicted lower credit scores, increased ED visits, and higher surgery rates on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

• Preexisting psychiatric conditions in HS patients are linked to increased healthcare utilization and surgical procedures.
• These comorbidities are associated with significant financial distress, necessitating integrated care approaches.
• Plastic surgeons should consider psychiatric comorbidities for holistic patient management in HS.