Quality of life and sexual health in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Abstract

BackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, debilitating follicular disease. The effect of HS on physical and psychological aspects of sexual function is not well understood.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to investigate the contribution of sexual dysfunction to the quality of life (QoL) of patients with HS and to investigate the extent to which sexual health predicts the QoL in these patients.MethodsThis is an observational cross-sectional study of 50 patients with HS and 50 healthy volunteers who completed questionnaires to measure QoL and sexual functioning using four validated tools.ResultsMale patients experienced higher sexual dysfunction and a reduced quality of sexual life, while female patients reported higher sexual distress, compared with control groups. In male patients, sexual QoL and erectile dysfunction predicted a 72% decline in QoL. In female patients, sexual distress and sexual dysfunction predicted 46% variability in QoL index scores, beyond the effects of disease severity.ConclusionDisruptions to sexual functioning greatly contribute to QoL impairments in patients with HS regardless of genital lesions. Health care professionals should inquire about and pay close attention to sexual health concerns in patients with HS.

Quality of life measurement in hidradenitis suppurativa: position statement of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology task forces on Quality of Life and Patient‐Oriented Outcomes and Acne, Rosacea and Hidradenitis Suppurativa

“…There was no significant difference between female patients with HS and controls regarding sexual functioning. The presence or absence of genital lesions in both male and female HS patients did not correlate with changes in DLQI scores or any sexual function measures …”

“…The presence or absence of genital lesions in both male and female HS patients did not correlate with changes in DLQI scores or any sexual function measures. 74…”

Hidradenitis suppurativa and polycystic ovarian syndrome: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Alavi and colleagues performed an observational cross‐sectional study of 50 HS patients compared with 50 healthy volunteers. HS cases were derived from those who presented at the Women's College Hospital or Richmond Hill Dermatology Clinic between 2015 and 2016 in Canada, with diagnosis confirmed by a dermatologist.…”

“…[15][16][17][18] Two studies 14,18 were based on institutional based data, whereas three studies [15][16][17] used population based registry data. Two studies 14,18 required HS diagnosis confirmed by a dermatologist, whilst the others used disease classification codes for databases. Three studies 14,16,18 reported matching between case and control groups.…”

Color Doppler as a tool for correlating vascularization and pain in hidradenitis suppurativa lesions

“…HS is regarded as autoinflammatory in its origin on the basis of the centrality of innate immunity dysfunction in its pathogenesis, with however a contributory role of adaptive immunity changes . Clinically, it is characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts and has a tremendous impact on quality of life . Pain is one of the most important and debilitating features of this disease, and it is usually much higher than in other chronic‐relapsing inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis .…”