Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients Experience a Significant Musculoskeletal Symptom Burden: A Quality Improvement...

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with systemic inflammation and reports of increased prevalence and risk of inflammatory arthritis. Despite this, there is a lack of tools to assess musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms in patients with HS. This quality improvement initiative aims to evaluate MSK symptom severity and impact in patients with HS using the International Dermatology Outcome Measures (IDEOM) Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (MSK-Q).

Over 20 months, the IDEOM MSK-Q was distributed to 115 patients with HS receiving care at a single dermatology clinic. Demographic and clinical data were collected at all visits. The IDEOM MSK-Q is a 9-item tool scored on a 10-point scale, with subscores evaluating MSK symptom severity, impact on quality of life, and fatigue in the past week.

At baseline, 79.14 percent of patients reported joint symptoms, with 33.91 percent rating joint pain ≥7/10. Fatigue was also prevalent (47.82% rating ≥7/10). Higher HS severity was significantly correlated with greater MSK symptom burden, with the greatest impact reported in work and/or school activities and daily physical activities. Follow-up assessments suggested symptom improvement with systemic treatment, though statistical significance was not achieved.

This study has a small sample size and limited follow-up duration.

Our analysis shows substantial MSK symptom burden and fatigue among patients with HS. The IDEOM MSK-Q may be a valuable tool for assessing MSK symptoms and impact, supporting further development and validation in the HS population.