Prevalence and factors associated with hidradenitis suppurativa: results from two case-control studies.
BACKGROUND
Conflicting opinions have been reported regarding the epidemiology of hidradenitis suppurativa.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate the prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa and to identify associated factors.


METHODS
Prevalence was evaluated using a representative sample of the French population (n=10,000). Associated risk factors were assessed using two case-control studies, one population-based with 67 self-reported patients and 200 control subjects, and the other clinic-based with 302 medically assessed patients and 906 control subjects.


RESULTS
The prevalence was 1% of the French population. Multivariate analyses showed a strong association with current smoking in self-reported (odds ratio=4.16, 95% confidence interval [2.99-8.69]) and in medically assessed (odds ratio=12.55 [8.58-18.38]) populations. Association with body mass index was significant in medically assessed patients (odds ratio=1.12 [1.08-1.15]) for each increase of 1 U of BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
A causal relationship could not be established with such a cross-sectional study.


CONCLUSIONS
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a common disease, frequently associated with smoking and being overweight.
Revuz
Jean E
JE
AP-HP, Groupe Henri-Mondor Albert-Chenevier, Service de Dermatologie, Creteil, France, Universite Paris 12, Faculte de Medecine, Creteil, France.
Canoui-Poitrine
Florence
F
Wolkenstein
Pierre
P
Viallette
Cedric
C
Gabison
Germaine
G
Pouget
Florence
F
Poli
Florence
F
Faye
Ousmane
O
Roujeau
Jean Claude
JC
Bonnelye
Genevieve
G
Grob
Jean Jacques
JJ
Bastuji-Garin
Sylvie
S
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology