Introduction

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, auto-inflammatory skin condition and is associated with several comorbidities. Previous studies report variable prevalence rates of HS, depending on the methodology, however the exact prevalence remains unknown.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of HS in a large population-based cohort in the Northern Netherlands, and to compare HS patients to the general population, investigate characteristics and identify potential associated comorbidities.

Methods

Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey-based study within the Lifelines Cohort Study (n=167,729), based on the general population located in the Northern Netherlands. A digital self-reported questionnaire was developed consisting of validated questions for determining HS.

Results

Among 56,084 respondents, the overall prevalence of HS was 2.1% [95% CI 2.0 to 2.2]. The respondents with HS had a lower socioeconomic status than the controls (p<0.001) and were more frequently current smokers (p<0.001). Several new significant associations in HS patients were revealed, such as fibromyalgia [OR=2.26; 95%CI 1.64 to 3.11], irritable bowel syndrome [OR 1.63; 95%CI 1.18 to 2.26], chronic fatigue syndrome [OR=1.72; 95%CI 1.06 to 2.78] and migraine [OR=1.48; 95%CI 1.11 to 1.96]. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome remained significantly associated with HS in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking status and socioeconomic status.

Conclusion

Our study showed a higher prevalence of HS in the Northern Netherlands compared to the overall estimated prevalence of 1% and identified several new associated comorbidities.