Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis associated with significant psychosocial burden. HS patients are more likely to experience mental health comorbidities such as depression and anxiety. They may also experience isolation due to fear of stigmatization as HS lesions are often associated with pain, scarring, and odor. This study investigates the perspectives of HS patients on HS support groups and the usage of this resource among this population. Methods: An anonymous Redcap survey was utilized via online social media HS support groups between 10/2021-1/2022 to collect demographic, usage, and perspective data. Comparative statistics were conducted and p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 166 respondents, 78% respondents were part of an HS support group however, only 12% of respondents were recommended to join by their main HS healthcare provider and most (68%) learned about support groups through their own internet searches. Most respondents were daily (42%) and weekly (38%) support group users. Virtual meetings were preferred by the majority compared to in person meetings (50% vs 13%). The top reasons respondents reported attending support groups were to better understand HS, increasing their knowledge of HS resources, and access to treatment/care tips. Respondents without dermatologists as their main HCP and skin of color (SOC) respondents were more likely to report that support groups improved their care of HS (4.29 vs 3.90, p=0.031). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the preferential format of virtual support groups and that support groups may be an underutilized resource by healthcare providers for their patients. Support groups may help to narrow gaps in education when patients are unable to access or have delays in obtaining dermatological care, especially in SOC patients who have historically experienced higher rates of healthcare disparities.
Introduction: Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) report HS flares with increased heat and sweat. However, there is a paucity of literature on whether there is an increased ambulatory visit burden for HS patients during the warmer months. Methods: We used a nationally-representative database of ambulatory visits in the United States, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to examine the seasonal trends of ambulatory visits for patients with HS. Data analyses were performed using SAS Studio 9.04.01 (SAS Institute, Cary, N.C., USA), and variance in the complex survey design is accounted for by utilizing survey weights to create national estimates and confidence intervals. Results: We identified approximately 2.33 million outpatient visits (95% confidence interval 1.95 million-2.71 million) between 2008-2018 with a diagnosis of HS. Approximately 21% of visits occurred during Winter to early Spring (January to April), 51% during late Spring to Summer (May to August), and 28% during Autumn (September to December). The number of visits differed significantly between these three time periods (X2=13.1, p=0.0014). Conclusion: Awareness of the increased burden of HS during summer months may help guide management, including anticipatory counseling on strategic lifestyle modifications and initiation of anti-hyperhidrosis treatments.
Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa, or HS, is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by abscesses, nodules, and fistulas typically in intertriginous areas of the body. Pediatric providers are key front-line providers for children and adolescents with HS, yet little is known about their diagnostic and management approach. Objective: In this survey study, we elicited the perspectives and experiences of pediatric providers regarding HS care. Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed to pediatric providers through online pediatric organizational listservs. Survey questions addressed providers’ perspectives on HS diagnosis and management. Comparative statistics between survey responses and provider experience were performed using t-tests and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among the 50 respondents, less than one-half were confident in knowing the available treatment options for HS (46%), managing mild HS (42%) or moderate-severe HS (6%), knowing pediatric HS comorbidities (30%), addressing challenges that HS patients face in school (22%), knowing when to discuss surgical treatments (20%), managing menstrual HS flares (14%), discussing the impact of HS on sexual health (14%), and managing patients with non-prescription therapies (0%). Of the 25 participants who saw patients with HS, less than two-thirds “often/sometimes” screened for substance abuse (64%), polycystic ovarian syndrome (60%), premature adrenarche (28%), and inflammatory bowel disease (20%). Conclusion: Educational resources targeted towards pediatric providers and increased collaboration with dermatologists may improve HS care for children and adolescents.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.