Physical and psychosocial comorbidities of pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is understudied in the pediatric population. Adult HS patients are known to have a high comorbidity burden. We aimed to describe physical and psychosocial comorbidities in a cohort of pediatric HS patients. Methods:A retrospective chart review of pediatric HS patients at a single academic institution was conducted. Data on patient demographics, disease characteristics, and physical and psychosocial comorbidities in pediatric patients with HS were collected and analyzed.Results: Seventy-three pediatric patients were included in this study, 81% female. Mean (SD) age of HS disease onset was 12.6 (2.9) years. Comorbid conditions were reported in 68 of 73 (93%) patients. Significantly increased rates of several comorbidities were seen in our cohort as compared to the general US pediatric population.Metabolic and endocrine abnormalities were prevalent, with 52% (22/42) patients with obesity and 10% (6/59) with polycystic ovary syndrome. The most common cutaneous comorbidity was acne vulgaris, seen in 37% (27/73) of patients. Over one quarter (21/73, 29%) of patients had either an anxiety or depression disorder. Almost one-fifth (14/73, 19%) of our cohort had a diagnosis of asthma and other reactive airway diseases. Only one-third (24/73, 33%) of patients had documentation regarding impact of HS on their daily life. Overall, comorbidities largely did not significantly differ based on race, gender, or disease severity.Conclusions: Pediatric patients with HS face a high-comorbidity burden, especially with psychiatric conditions. Early identification, including routine mental health screening, and management of comorbidities is warranted in the pediatric HS population.

Depression and anxiety in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a cross-sectional study among Polish patients

“…Depression and anxiety in HS are not only common phenomena in adults. A recent study showed that 29% of paediatric patients suffering from HS developed symptoms of depression or anxiety [15]. Although both depression and anxiety appeared to be common in our HS patients, there was no correlation with clinical severity of HS.…”

Pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa

“…Beyond routine age‐based screening, a patient's physical exam and review of systems (ROS) should form the basis for additional testing. From a long list of reported possible associations with HS, standouts include type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and inflammatory bowel disease 7,18–21 . Other reported associations include acne, pilonidal disease, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, precocious puberty, and trisomy 21 6,7 .…”

“…From a long list of reported possible associations with HS, standouts include type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, and inflammatory bowel disease. 7,[18][19][20][21] Other reported associations include acne, pilonidal disease, dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, precocious puberty, and trisomy 21. 6,7 For type 2 diabetes, obesity, and depression, there exist well-established best practices for treating these diseases and huge individual and societal cost are incurred from inaction.…”

Pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa: Describing care patterns in the emergency department

“…Left untreated, HS can progress and include complications such as infection, strictures, fistulas, scarring, contractures, lymphedema, and even malignancy 2 . HS can significantly impact children's quality of life and is also associated with anxiety and depression 7,8 . Early recognition and proper intervention in pediatric HS populations is thus paramount in avoiding these adverse outcomes.…”