Table 1). Some limitations need to be considered when interpreting the findings of the present study. Firstly, the cross-sectional design precluded the ability to make inferences about causality. Secondly, the small sample size precluded multivariable analyses, and the lack of a control group limited us from making any comparison with other dermatological disorders. The sample size was heterogeneous in terms of smoking habits, which could have affected our results. However, a major strength of our study is that we studied a sample of patients with HS with diverse geographical origins. As previously mentioned, beliefs about stigmatization differ throughout various parts of the world, but stigmatization is generally an important concern for many dermatological patients. 6 Our data show that perceived stigmatization is common in patients with HS and not limited by geographical origin, indicating that HS stigmatization is a global issue.Ongoing perceptions of stigmatization may contribute to difficulty coping with the disease, and exacerbate negative emotions and maladaptive thought processes, in turn leading to negative psychological outcomes and impaired quality of life, as seen in our results. In fact, it may be hypothesized that stigma is a key factor in the association between HS and psychological comorbidities.