Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 May;62(5):631-636.
doi: 10.1111/ijd.16409. Epub 2022 Sep 13.

Long-term risk of death in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

John J Kohorst  1 , Shirin Ghanavatian  2 , Mark D P Davis  1 , Amy L Weaver  3 , Cathy D Schleck  3 , David L Swanson  2
Affiliations

Long-term risk of death in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

John J Kohorst et al. Int J Dermatol. 2023 May.

Abstract

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with substantial morbidity. Few studies have addressed the natural history and mortality rates associated with HS. A higher risk of cardiovascular death in patients with HS has been reported. We investigated whether patients with HS have an increased overall risk of death compared with age- and gender-matched referents.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, with incident HS between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2008, and age- and gender-matched referents. The main outcomes and measures were the overall and cause-specific risks of death.

Results: We identified 226 incident cases of HS and 678 age- and gender-matched referents among Olmsted County residents during the study period. Compared to referents, patients with HS had a significantly higher risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.53-4.03, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular- or cerebrovascular-related death (HR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.10-7.40, P = 0.03). However, these risks were attenuated by adjusting for smoking history: all-cause HR, 1.65 (95% CI, 0.97-2.82, P = 0.07) and cardiovascular- or cerebrovascular-related HR, 2.03 (95% CI, 0.71-5.81, P = 0.18). The 71% of patients were former or current smokers at the time of HS diagnosis.

Conclusions: Hidradenitis suppurativa patients have a substantially increased risk of death from any cause, including cardiovascular or cerebrovascular causes; the risk is especially dependent on smoking history.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Jemec GB. Clinical practice. Hidradenitis suppurativa. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(2):158-64.
    1. Vazquez BG, Alikhan A, Weaver AL, Wetter DA, Davis MD. Incidence of hidradenitis suppurativa and associated factors: a population-based study of Olmsted County, Minnesota. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;133(1):97-103.
    1. Revuz JE, Canoui-Poitrine F, Wolkenstein P, Viallette C, Gabison G, Pouget F, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with hidradenitis suppurativa: results from two case-control studies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59(4):596-601.
    1. Wolkenstein P, Loundou A, Barrau K, Auquier P, Revuz J, Quality of Life Group of the French Society of Dermatology. Quality of life impairment in hidradenitis suppurativa: a study of 61 cases. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(4):621-3.
    1. Matusiak L, Bieniek A, Szepietowski JC. Hidradenitis suppurativa markedly decreases quality of life and professional activity. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(4):706-8.

LinkOut - more resources