Hidradenitis Suppurativa Changes Major Life Decisions of Affected Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with substantial physical and psychosocial burden. Its long-term impact on major life-changing decisions (MLCD) remains poorly investigated. This cross-sectional study included 123 adult HS patients assessed using the validated Major Life-Changing Decision Profile (MLCDP). Disease severity was evaluated with Hurley staging and IHS4. Quality of life (DLQI, HiSQOL), disease acceptance (AIS), and psychiatric symptoms (PHQ-9, GAD-7) were also assessed. Overall, 87.887.8% of patients reported at least one affected MLCD, with a mean of 6.2±65.2 decisions per patient. The mean MLCDP total score was 20.1±1720.91 points, without sex differences. The most frequently affected areas concerned lifestyle habits, physical activity, and intimate relationships. Patients with Hurley stage III demonstrated significantly higher MLCDP scores compared with stages I and II. MLCDP correlated with IHS4 (r=r0.218), pain intensity (r=r0.256), DLQI (r=r0.401), HiSQOL (r=r0.507), PHQ-9 (r=r0.354), and GAD-7 (r=r0.315) (all p