Renal dysfunction in people with hidradenitis suppurativa: a multi-center, propensity-score-matched cohort study

Background: Recent studies suggest a potential link between HS and renal dysfunction. Our objective is to assess the correlation between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and renal consequences, specifically focusing on acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Methods: This study was performed based on retrospective cohort design. Electronic medical records of participants were retrieved from the US collaborative network in the TriNetX research network. Information from 46,561 individuals with HS was examined alongside an equivalent number of matched controls. Propensity matching was performed for matching confounders. The study spanned from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2017. Primary outcomes were set as renal dysfunction, including AKI, CKD, and ESRD. Results: Over the 1-year follow-up, people with HS presented a 1.84-fold higher risk of AKI (95% CI, 1.34-2.53) and a 1.37-fold higher risk of CKD (95% CI, 1.02-1.85) than non-HS individuals. Elevated risks persisted over the longer follow-up periods for AKI at 1.51-fold (95% CI, 1.28-1.77) for 3-years-follow-up and 1.47-fold (95% CI, 1.30-1.65) for 5-years-follow-up, respectively. Stratification by sex revealed higher risks in males, and comparison with psoriasis patients indicated increased AKI and CKD risks in HS patients. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant association between HS and renal dysfunction, emphasizing the need for further exploration of shared pathophysiological mechanisms. The findings could offer potential insights into HS-related comorbidities.