Somatic and psychiatric comorbidities of hidradenitis suppurativa in children and adolescents.

Publication date: Available online 5 March 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Hannu Tiri, Jari Jokelainen, Markku Timonen, Kaisa Tasanen, Laura Huilaja
BackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with various somatic and psychiatric comorbidities. Data regarding comorbidities in young HS patients are sparse.ObjectiveWe analyzed both somatic and psychiatric comorbidities in young patients in a nationwide HS cohort.MethodsIn this retrospective case-control study, data from cases of HS in young (aged ≥5 and <18 years) patients and age-matched controls with benign melanocytic nevi were collected from the Finnish Care Registry of Health Care. The prevalence of preselected comorbidities was compared between HS and control groups.ResultsA total of 153 HS cases were found in the specified age group. Of these, 34.0% had one or more somatic comorbidity compared with 4.9% of controls. At least one of the preselected psychiatric diagnoses was present before the age of 18 years in 15.7% of HS cases compared with 5.6% of controls. By the age of 23 years, at least one psychiatric comorbidity was identified in 23.5% of HS patients and 8.7% of controls.LimitationsDespite being one of the largest HS cohorts ever studied, the number of young HS patients was relatively low. Since this was a registry-based study, it was not possible to verify the accuracy of International Classification of Diseases codes.ConclusionPhysicians should monitor young patients with HS for both somatic and psychiatric comorbidities.

Teaser

- Epidemiologic data on hidradenitis suppurativa in childhood and adolescence are sparse; - This study demonstrates the psychiatric and somatic comorbidities of hidradenitis suppurativa in young patients; - Young patients with hidradenitis suppurativa need care for the comorbidities of HS, which may accumulate over time.