Clinical Features and Natural Course of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Turkey: A Multicenter Study

The natural history, the progression of a disease process in an individual over time, has not yet been fully elucidated in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). In this large multicenter study, we aimed to investigate the natural history of HS and its gender differences.

This cross-sectional study included 827 patients. The chronological order of the clinical manifestations for each patient was recorded retrospectively. Sociodemographic characteristics, triggering factors, clinical, treatment, and prognostic features were also evaluated.

The mean age of disease onset was significantly younger in women than in men (22.42 ± 9.28 vs. 27.06 ± 20.56, p < 0.001) and those with a family history (p < 0.0001). The mean disease duration was 91.17 ± 83.64 months. The most common symptom was purulent discharge (81%). The mean duration of abscess was shorter in women than in men (3.11 ± 2.65 vs. 3.75 ± 3.75, p = 0.01). The axilla was the most common onset area followed by the inguinal and gluteal regions. The disease ran a more severe course in men. Abscess/inflammatory nodule was defined in the last 6 months in 88.6% of the patients; however, the first 5 years of the disease were the most active disease period in 67.5% of the patients. Multivariate analysis revealed being male, older age, family history, involvement of the axillary, inguinal, and perianal regions independently associated with HS severity. While antibiotic use was the most important factor in improving the disease symptoms, stress was the most common aggravating factor. Biological therapy in men, laser epilation and pregnancy in women were significant alleviating factors, whereas weight gain was a more common aggravating factor for women.

HS shows a relentlessly progressive course with inflammatory attacks, but the first years of the disease are the most active period. This study confirms that environmental and hormonal factors may play an important role in the disease course, probably with other endogenous or exogenous factors.