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TOPLINE: 

A meta-analysis of 25 studies estimated that hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) affects nearly 1% of the world’s population, with substantial regional variations and a higher prevalence among women. 

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a proportional meta-analysis using standardized Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas methodology. The sample included 22,743 participants across 25 studies, representing 23 countries and six continents were represented. (The United States was not among the 23 countries.)
• Based on screening questionnaires and clinical confirmation, the researchers identified 247 patients with HS (55.6% women; median age, 34.5 years).
• Primary outcome was the prevalence of HS.

TAKEAWAY:

• The overall global prevalence of HS was 0.99% (95% CI, 0.67%-1.46%).
• Women had a significantly higher prevalence of HS than men (regression coefficient, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03); no other demographic or risk factors demonstrated significant associations.
• The lowest prevalences were seen in Bangladesh (0.13%), Greece (0.18%), and Sri Lanka (0.20%).
• The highest prevalence was reported in Saudi Arabia (4.07%), followed by France (3.43%), Chile (2.40%), and Oman (2.07%).

IN PRACTICE:

This meta-analysis revealed an estimated global HS prevalence of 0.99% with “substantial regional variations,” the study authors wrote. “ Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying causes of the substantial global variations in HS prevalence,” they added.

SOURCE:

The study was led by Dorra Bouazzi, MD, PhD, PHOENIX Center, Department of Allergy, Dermatology, and Venereology, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark, and was published online on August 27 in JAMA Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

Limitations included differences in language, culture, and healthcare systems across countries and lack of stratified sampling. In addition, because countries were recruited via International League of Dermatological Societies member societies, nonresponse bias was possible. With only 23 countries included, many global data were missing, and ecological fallacy could have affected meta-regressions.

DISCLOSURES:

This work was supported by grants from Region Sjalland-Medicinsporet and the Oak Foundation. Bouazzi reported receiving honoraria from UCB Nordic. Several authors reported receiving grants, personal fees, royalties, advisory fees from various companies, including, UCB, Novartis, MoonLake, Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb, LEO Pharma, Takeda, Sanofi, and Novartis. Some authors declared holding patents, copyrights, and being on the boards of organizations and societies. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.