<p>Perspectives On Perceived Stigma And Self-Stigma In Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa</p>

Abstract

ObjectiveTo review current knowledge on how patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) experience stigmatization, as well as on its associations with clinical and psychosocial characteristics of the disease. A better understanding of these may help dermatologists improve screening and management for the benefit of HS patients.MethodsA MEDLINE search using the terms stigmatization, perceived stigma, self-stigma, and HS/acne inversa.ResultsStigmatization is common among HS patients and has a strong psychosocial impact, which is often disproportional to the extent and severity of skin involvement. Stigmatization in HS has many faces and it is more prevalent and more severe than most other skin diseases. Stigmatization of HS patients is due not only to the distressing symptoms of pain, itch malodorous discharge, and disfiguring scars but also to the lack of knowledge about HS on part of the general public.ConclusionStigma is a significant contributor to the impairment of quality of life and psychiatric co-morbidities commonly seen in patients with HS. Therefore, evaluation for stigma and formulation of strategies to prevent stigmatization and treat its consequences, in the context of a multidisciplinary approach, may ameliorate considerably the lives of HS patients.

Psychiatric comorbidities in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

“…16 HS patients experience emotional distress, because of body dissatisfaction, shame and stigmatization, which could lead to depression and anxiety. 23 Another factor contributing to depression could be factors associated with work. Patients often have less productivity and take repeated sick leaves.…”

“…However, depression is related to deteriorating health and chronic diseases, such as heart failure or renal failure 16 . HS patients experience emotional distress, because of body dissatisfaction, shame and stigmatization, which could lead to depression and anxiety 23 . Another factor contributing to depression could be factors associated with work.…”

Immunomodulatory drugs alone and adjuvant to surgery for hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa—A narrative review

“…Perceived pain needs more recognition in trials 89 . Prevention of extensive scarring is another unmet need of drug therapy 90 . A combination of immunomodulating drugs with surgery may overcome the limitations of both treatment approaches but further investigations are needed.…”

Hidradenitis suppurativa: Wie die Partner von Betroffenen psychosozial beeinträchtigt werden

“…Darüber hinaus sind gerade in den letzten Jahren jedoch zahlreiche Erkenntnisse hinzugekommen, die eine erhöhte Komorbidität mit Depression [5, 6, 10], Angststörungen [12] mit sonstigen psychiatrischen Erkrankungen [13] und auch Schizophrenie [16] zeigen. Die Stigmatisierung der Hidradenitis suppurativa Patient*innen [7] und auch die Geruchsneigung [1] beeinträchtigen ebenfalls die Lebensqualität. Hinzu kommt, dass gerade durch die Erkrankung offenbar die Sexualität deutlich beeinträchtigt ist [2, 3, 11], auch die Fertilität signifikant schlechter ist [17] und es Hinweise gibt, dass mit dieser Erkrankung eine erhöhte Korrelation mit Traumata vorliegt [15].…”