Hidradenitis suppurativa: racial and socioeconomic considerations in management

Abstract

Studies on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have found an increased prevalence of HS in skin of color and lower socioeconomic status patients, although the reasons for these differences are unclear. Demographic and therapeutic studies of HS originate primarily from developed Western countries, and data from low- and medium-income countries (LMIC) remain comparatively limited. In this review paper, we discuss differences in clinical presentation and comorbidities between racial and socioeconomic subpopulations and describe the genetic, biomedical, psychosocial, and ecological factors that may explain the associations between HS and skin of color and socioeconomic status. We highlight biomedical treatment considerations for LMIC including cost effective and less complex treatment strategies. We touch on population-based strategies to address the social determinants of health in HS management and discuss additional challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.