title: Sexual health and quality of life are impaired in hidradenitis suppurativa: a multicentre cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has a major impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). Although it has commonly been assumed that HS impairs sexual health, only a single case-control study has been performed on sexual functioning in a small group of patients with HS.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the QoL with a particular focus on sexual health in a substantial population of patients with HS.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total 916 patients with HS received an invitation to participate in this multicentre cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred patients completed the questionnaires. This study showed a diminished QoL and sexual health in patients with HS (Female Sexual Function Index: 21·6 ± 9·6, International Index of Erectile Function: 49·7 ± 20·7, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale: 16·7 ± 5·3, Dermatology Life Quality Index: 12·5 ± 7·5). Sexual health was associated with QoL in women but not in men. Female sex and late onset of HS were associated with poor sexual function. Impairment of QoL was associated with anogenital involvement, early onset of HS, disease severity and disease activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HS is associated with impaired sexual health and QoL. Physicians should not hesitate to ask patients with HS about their sexual function and, when needed, offer them psychological support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Janse
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Deckers
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: van der Maten
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: A W M
authors.initials: AWM
authors.lastname: Evers
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Deventer Hospital, Deventer, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boer
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: van der Zee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Prens
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Horváth
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D000067562:Late Onset Disorders; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D060728:Reproductive Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires