Clinical characteristics of a series of 302 French patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, with an analysis of factors associated with disease severity

BackgroundFactors associated with the severity of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are not known.ObjectiveWe sought to identify factors associated with the severity of HS.MethodologyThe severity of disease in a series of 302 consecutive patients with HS was assessed using the Sartorius score.ResultsAtypical locations were more common in men than in women (47.1% vs 14.8%; P < .001). Men also had more severe disease (median Sartorius score: 20.5 vs 16.5; P = .02). Increased body mass index (P < .001), atypical locations (P = .002), a personal history of severe acne (P = .04), and absence of a family history of HS (P = .06) were associated with an increased Sartorius score. The Sartorius score was highly correlated with the intensity and duration of pain and suppuration (all P values < .001).LimitationsThe referral center base of the study may have biased recruitment.ConclusionOur data showed a significant association between the severity of HS and several clinical and behavioral factors. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the prognostic role of these factors.