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Addictions in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
Alexander Böhner1, Wanja Steinhauser1, Rosi Wang1
1Department of Dermatology and Allergology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteiner Str. 29, 80802, Munich, Germany.
Introduction:
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a significant impact on a patient's daily life, negatively affecting numerous psychological and physical aspects. Thus, patients with HS may be at elevated risk of developing addictive disorders. We therefore aimed to evaluate the prevalence of the most common addictions and psychiatric comorbidities among patients with HS.
Methods:
This questionnaire-based pilot study was conducted between January and October 2021 at the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Germany. Demographics, disease severity, quality of life, presence of depression and anxiety, addictions including smoking habits, alcohol consumption, consumption of illicit drugs and prescription drugs, cannabis consumption, gambling, internet and food addiction were recorded.
Results:
A total of 120 patients (48.3% female, 51.7% male; mean age 39.3 ± 13.2 years) with HS were included. Most patients suffered from mild HS. Screening results for at least one addiction were positive in 71.7% of the participants, while smoking was most prevalent (60.0%), followed by pathological alcohol consumption (18.3%), food addiction (18.3%) and cannabis addiction (15.0%). Moreover, positive screening rates were 13.3% for addiction to illicit drugs or prescription medication, 12.5% for internet addiction and 5% for gambling. Using multivariate logistic regression, the correlation of patients' characteristics with addictive disorders was determined. Younger patients were more susceptible to internet, cannabis and food addiction. Food addiction was more prevalent in patients with an increased BMI. Addiction to illicit drugs or prescription medication was associated with anxiety.
Conclusion:
Strikingly, numerous addictions were recorded in patients with HS, even in those with mild disease severity. Thus, addictions in patients with HS should be addressed in time by physicians to provide early patient-centred health care.
