| Abstract [eng] |
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, and severe inflammatory skin disease that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. The disease manifests as painful nodules, abscesses, and fistulas, primarily in skin folds such as the axillae, groin, and buttocks. Recently, increasing attention has been given to HS; however, it is still often diagnosed late, and treatment strategies remain insufficiently effective. Aim of the study. To analyze the demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data of HS patients at VULSK DVC. Objectives: 1. Determine the relationship between health-risk behaviors, family history, metabolic diseases, and HS severity. 2. Identify the most common misdiagnoses and delays in HS diagnosis. 3. Assess the relationship between anxiety and quality of life based on gender and weight variables. 4. Evaluate the most commonly affected body areas in patients. 5. Assess the effectiveness of systemic treatment in HS patients. Methods. The study was conducted retrospectively by analyzing the medical records of patients diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa at the Department of Dermatovenereology, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. Demographic indicators, comorbidities, prevalence of smoking and obesity, diagnostic accuracy, and treatment methods were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS 26 software. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, and homogeneity using the chi-square test. Means were compared using the T-test or the Wilcoxon test, depending on data distribution. The strength of linear associations was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results. The study included 49 patients, of whom 57.14% (n=28) were men and 42.85% (n=21) were women. The mean age was 39.19 years, and the average BMI was 28.44 kg/m². Overweight was observed in 30.61% of patients, and 36.73% were classified as obese. A total of 36.73% of patients were current smokers, with an average smoking history of 26.56 pack-years; 22.44% had quit smoking, and 40.81% had never smoked. Hurley stage I was identified in 51.02% of patients, stage II in 24.48%, and stage III also in 24.48%. Notably, 91.66% of those in Hurley stage III were smokers. Men were more likely to have severe disease (p<0.001), while women were more frequently diagnosed with stage II (p=0.042). A misdiagnosis had been previously made in 70.2% of patients, most commonly as a furuncle (51.51%). In 89.79% of cases, hidradenitis suppurativa was diagnosed by a dermatologist. Among patients treated with biologic therapy, DLQI and IHS4 scores decreased from 7.4 and 7.38 to 5.1 and 3.2, respectively (p<0.001). Those receiving conventional systemic therapy had higher initial scores (DLQI – 10.5; IHS4 – 6.21), but their improvements were less pronounced. Disease recurrence within the last four weeks was observed in 29.78% of patients, regardless of treatment type. Conclusions. More severe forms of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are more commonly observed in smokers, male patients, and those with metabolic diseases. Diagnosis tends to be delayed in female patients. Younger men are more likely to experience anxiety, and obese men report a lower quality of life compared to women. The axillary region is the most frequently affected site. Biological therapy provided a better treatment response; however, the recurrence rate did not differ significantly between treatment groups. |
