The comorbidities of hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease that dramatically decreases the quality of life of afflicted patients. A number of factors may coexist with hidradenitis suppurativa, including stigmatization, social isolation, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, suicidal ideation, depression, other psychiatric disorders, and medical comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. These comorbidities should be kept in mind while planning the treatment. A rare but important long-term complication of hidradenitis suppurativa is squamous cell cancer; men with perianal, gluteal, or perineal lesions are at increased risk, and multiple biopsies should be taken in case of any suspicious lesions.