Prevalence of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Oman

Introduction: This study, conducted as part of the Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas (GHiSA) initiative, aimed to ascertain the prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in Oman and to assess its demographic distribution, adhering to standardized methodology for consistency across participating sites.

A multicenter approach was undertaken, encompassing primary care within a general practice clinic, along with two secondary surgical clinics at Sumail Hospital and Seeb polyclinic in Oman. Informed written and oral consent were diligently obtained from study participants. Data collection involved the translation of the questionnaire into Arabic and meticulous examination conducted by qualified physicians. Recruitment transpired from July 2022 to September 2022, targeting healthy adults accompanying patients, with rigorous adherence to predefined exclusion criteria.

Among the 500 initially selected participants, 484 questionnaires were subjected to rigorous analysis, following the exclusion of 16 due to data incompleteness. The estimated prevalence of HS in Oman was found to be 2.1% (95% CI: 1.1-3.8%), with a pronounced predilection toward the female demographic. Notably, the median age of participants with HS was significantly lower than that of their healthy counterparts. Regional distribution analysis revealed the axillary region as the most commonly affected site for both genders. The questionnaire-based diagnostic approach exhibited a sensitivity of 1.00 and a specificity of 0.73, indicating its efficacy in HS diagnosis.

This study yields critical insights into the epidemiology of HS in Oman, conclusively establishing a prevalence rate of 2.1%. The high sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire-based diagnostic tool emphasize its clinical utility. These findings collectively emphasize the imperative for comprehensive education and awareness campaigns among healthcare professionals to foster early detection and tailored intervention strategies. To further enrich our understanding of HS pathophysiology and optimize patient management, larger prospective investigations are warranted.