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. 2019 Jul 29;94(3):298-303.
doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20197687.

Clinical manifestations and quality of life in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: survey of participants from an internet support group

Isabel Greco Tavora  1 , Gabriela Cabral Bissoli  1 , Hélio Amante Miot  2 , Juliano Vilaverde Schmitt  2
Affiliations

Clinical manifestations and quality of life in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: survey of participants from an internet support group

Isabel Greco Tavora et al. An Bras Dermatol. .

Abstract

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a complex and infrequent autoinflammatory disease that impacts on quality of life. Its pathogenesis is not fully understood, which limits the development of curative treatments.

Objectives: To evaluate clinical and quality of life aspects of hidradenitis suppurativa patients from a social group on the Internet.

Methods: A cross-sectional, Internet-based survey study among participants in a discussion group (Facebook) of individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire about clinical-demographic aspects and quality of life (DLQI-BRA).

Results: A total of 390 individuals agreed to participate in the study, 82% of them female, median age (p25-p75), of 31 (25-37) years old, disease onset at 15 (13-23) years, family member affected in 20% of cases, overweight (BMI 29 [25-33]) kg/m2 and severe impact on quality of life (DLQI 20 [13-25]). Regarding Hurley's classification, the participants provided information that enabled classification into: I (19%), II (52%) and III (29%). More severe cases were associated with males (OR = 1.69), higher weight (BMI: OR = 1.03) non-white color (OR = 1.43) and higher frequency of other autoinflammatory diseases (OR = 1.37).

Study limitations: Voluntary adherence survey with self-completion of the questionnaire by 390 from about 1600 group members.

Conclusions: Hidradenitis suppurativa patients who participated in a social network group had onset of the disease after puberty, with a predominance in females and overweight people, with great impact on the quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Perceptual map of the analysis of multiple correspondence of clinical variables and quality of life of the participants evaluated (n=390)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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