Menses and pregnancy affect symptoms in hidradenitis suppurativa: A cross-sectional study

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that impairs patients’ physical and mental health. However, few studies have considered the consequences of HS on cohabitants. The aims of this study were to explore the impact of HS on the quality of life (QOL) of cohabitants and to assess potentially associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted and patients with HS and their cohabitants were invited to participate. Validated questionnaires were used to measure QOL, anxiety and depression, type D personality and sexual dysfunction. The clinical variables of patients and the demographic characteristics of cohabitants were also collected. Twenty-seven patients and 27 cohabitants were included for analysis. Patients and cohabitants presented significant QOL impairment. A direct association was found between the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Familiar Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). DLQI scores were associated with the presence of negative affectivity, a trait typical of type D personality, as well as with cohabitants’ anxiety. FDLQI scores were associated with cohabitant anxiety and patient depression. Hidradenitis suppurativa damages quality of life in patients and cohabitants. Identifying potential psychological factors could help us to recognize at-risk patients and apply personalized treatments for them and their environment.

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Risk Factors of Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dermatology ◽

10.1159/000501905 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 236 (1) ◽

pp. 37-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Carlos Cuenca-Barrales ◽

Alejandro Molina-Leyva

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Hidradenitis Suppurativa ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stable Relationship

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has a high impact on quality of life. However, sexual health has scarcely been investigated. Objective: To describe the frequency of sexual dysfunction (SD) in women and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with HS and to explore potential risk factors. Patients and Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study using a crowd-sourced online questionnaire spread by the Spanish hidradenitis suppurativa patients’ association (ASENDHI). Results: In total, 393 participants answered the questionnaire. SD was found in 51% (95% CI 45–57%) of women and ED in 60% (95% CI 49–70%) of men. Factors related to SD were education status, patient’s global assessment for disease activity, numeric rating scale for pain and unpleasant odour and the absence of a stable relationship. Factors related to ED were increasing age, the presence of active lesions in the genital area and the number of areas affected by active lesions. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of SD and ED in HS patients. Being in a stable relationship has been a protective factor of SD in women. The results suggest that sexual impairment in HS patients is due, at least in part, to disease activity, symptoms and active lesions.

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