Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) | HS Awareness

Managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) starts with understanding the condition^1,2

HS can be a debilitating, under-recognized condition that can affect many aspects of a patient's life.^3-5 But with proper education, management strategies, and resources, you may be able to help prevent irreversible skin damage.^1,2Awareness can support better outcomes for patients, and you can support increased awareness for your peers.^4,6Help shine a light on HS.

WHAT IS HS?

EARLY RECOGNITION

RISK FACTORS AND COMORBIDITIES

What is hidradenitis suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa, commonly referred to as HS and also known as acne inversa, is a chronic, often progressive, systemic, inflammatory skin condition that commonly manifests as subcutaneous nodules and abscesses in flexural sites, such as the groin or axillae.^3,7 If left untreated, HS may advance quickly.^8,9 Timely intervention is needed to help prevent permanent damage.³

Hear from your peers about understanding HS

The healthcare providers featured in these videos were compensated for their time. These videos represent their opinions and do not represent the opinions of Novartis.

The facts about HS

HS is widely under-recognized. This can cause diagnostic delays that can facilitate disease progression and long-lasting negative effects on a patient's quality of life.^10-12 The shame and embarrassment that may be associated with HS can be made worse by misconceptions about its causes, but these can be corrected with education about the condition. Knowing fact from fiction about HS can help get patients the accurate diagnosis and treatment they promptly need.^9,11

EPIDEMIOLOGY

QUALITY OF LIFE IMPACT

MISCONCEPTIONS

HS may lead to depression, anxiety, and loss of sexual intimacy

Patients can feel intense shame and embarrassment

In one study, HS patients reported the lowest quality of life out of 35 skin disorders

HS is not: Contagious HS is not: An infectious condition HS is not: A result of poor hygiene HS is not: A condition that only affects women, people with obesity, or people of African descent

HS is A chronic, systemic, inflammatory condition. HS is a condition that can affect people of all genders, races, and ethnicities who are from all walks of life. HS is treatable with early and effective intervention

FACT

Many patients first present with symptoms to a primary care physician or non-HS-treating dermatologist. Recognizing the condition is the first step in getting patients the individualized care they need.²

Early recognition and intervention are critical³

An HS diagnosis requires a physical and historical assessment. There are 3 essential diagnostic criteria for distinguishing HS²⁸


LESIONS¹¹ One or more painful, inflammatory, deep-seated nodules, abscesses, or comedones.	LOCATION^11,28 Lesions are most common on flexural sites, like the axillae, inframammary, groin, perineal and perianal regions. They are less common on ears, face, scalp, back, chest, or legs.	CHRONICITY^25,29 Recurrence at least twice within 6 months and/or persistence of at least 3 months.

Fact prompting HCPs to talk to their patients about the possibility of having HS

If you recognize, refer

Management and treatment strategies for HS should be led by an HS-treating
dermatology provider.²

Find one now

	Hidradenitis suppurativa risk factors and comorbidities Knowing some of the common risk factors and comorbidities associated with HS can help identify patients early on. Some risk factors may also be comorbidities.³¹
	RISK FACTORS^{3,4,7,11,14,31-33}		*COMORBIDITIES^{3,7,31,33-35}**
	Female gender 3x increased risk		Obesity Prevalence may be >75%
	Obesity BMI ≥30 kg/m²		Joint spondyloarthropathies Prevalence: 3.7%
	Family history ~40% of patients with HS have a family history of the condition Evaluating family history could help increase the likelihood of a timely diagnosis		Squamous cell skin cancer Prevalence: 3% to 37%^†
	African descent ~2.5x more common vs Caucasians		Type 2 diabetes Prevalence: up to 30%
	Active cigarette smoking Up to 9.4x higher risk		Polycystic ovary syndrome Prevalence: >3-fold risk
	Age Onset typically occurs in people aged 20+ years HS flares may be associated with hormonal changes (eg, puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause). It is important to evaluate each patient individually BMI, body mass index. Risk factors are not limited only to those listed.		Substance-related disorder Prevalence: 4%
			Metabolic syndrome Prevalence: 40%
			Depression Prevalence: ~43% *Comorbidities are not limited only to those listed. Prevalence is reported as prevalence of comorbidities in patients with HS based on different studies in the medical literature. ^†Range based on anatomic distribution.

FACT

Given the numerous comorbidities associated with HS, management coordinated between a multidisciplinary care team should be based on the individual.²

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Clinical Deep Dive >

Learn how to identify and diagnose HS early to shed light on improved outcomes

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Help raise awareness about HS today

References: 1. Chiricozzi A et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33(suppl 6):15-20. 2. Collier EK et al. Int J Dermatol. 2020;59(6):744-747. 3. Sabat R et al. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020;6(1):18. 4. Garg A et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(2):366-376. 5. Daxhelet M et al. Dermatology. 2020;236(5):431-438. 6. Alavi A et al. J Cutan Med Surg. 2017;21(6):513-524. 7. Alikhan A et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81(1):76-90. 8. van der Zee HH et al. Br J Dermatol. 2022;186(2):355-356. 9. Ingram JR et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022;36(9):1597-1605. 10. Dufour DN. Postgrad Med J. 2014;90(1062):216-220. 11. Kimball AB et al, eds. Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Disease Primer. Adis; 2017. 12. Kokolakis G et al. Dermatology. 2020;236(5):421-430. 13. Revuz JE et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;59(4):596-601. 14. Deckers IE et al. Curr Derm Rep. 2014;3(1):54-60. 15. Micheletti RG. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2014;33(suppl 3):S48-S50. 16. Shah M et al. J Clin Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;4(2):1-4. 17. Loget J et al. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2018;145(5):331-338. 18. Machado MO et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2019;155(8):939-945. 19. Alavi A et al. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2018;4(2):74-79. 20. Tzellos T et al. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2020;10(1):63-71. 21. Balieva F et al. Br J Dermatol. 2017;176(5):1170-1178. 22. Ather S et al. Int Wound J. 2006;3(3):159-169. 23. Garg A et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2017;153(8):760-764. 24. Prens EP et al. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020;21(4):579-590. 25. Zouboulis CC et al. Exp Dermatol. 2021;30(suppl 1):27-30. 26. Shih T et al. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(6):749-753. 27. Paek SY et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(4):772-773. 28. Revuz J. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009;23(9):985-998. 29. Saunte DML et al. JAMA. 2017;318(20):2019-2032. 30. Vinding GR et al. Br J Dermatol. 2014;170(4):884-889. 31. Miller IM et al. Dermatol Clin. 2016;34(1):7-16. 32. Kohorst JJ et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73(5 suppl 1):S27-S35. 33. Goldburg SR et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(5):1045-1058. 34. Phan K et al. Ann Transl Med. 2020;8(13):821. 35. Vazquez BG et al. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;133(1):97-103.

Managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) starts with understanding the condition1,2

What is hidradenitis suppurativa?

The facts about HS

FACT

Early recognition and intervention are critical3

If you recognize, refer

Hidradenitis suppurativa risk factors and comorbidities

FACT

Clinical Deep Dive >

Get Involved >

Managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) starts with understanding the condition^1,2

Early recognition and intervention are critical³