Prevalence of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Antalya, Türkiye

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) prevalence studies show considerable regional discrepancies due to various methodological and/or ethnic factors. The prevalence of HS in Türkiye has yet to be examined. This study aimed to assess the HS prevalence with a validated screening questionnaire in Antalya-Türkiye as part of the major project to determine the global prevalence of HS.

This single-center, cross-sectional study in a tertiary health institution was conducted among healthy volunteer adults accompanying patients in the internal medicine outpatient clinics of Akdeniz University between July and November 2022.

The study included 1,012 participants, 544 females, and 468 males. Seven participants (4 females and 3 males, median age 44.0 [IQR 40.5-54.5] years old) had HS, and the prevalence was 0.69% (95% confidence interval [0.33%-1.4%]). The proportion of HS at an early stage was higher than the rate previously reported from the same center in a registry research (Hurley I, 28.57% vs 16%). The examination of 110 screen-negative participants did not reveal any HS. There was no difference between HS patients and non-HS participants regarding gender, age, BMI, and daily smoking rate.

HS prevalence in Antalya seems compatible with the global prevalence of the disease. This study did not confirm the male dominance observed in Türkiye in earlier studies. The HS patients diagnosed in the study represent a milder spectrum of the disease.