Low and high body mass index in hidradenitis suppurativa patients-different subtypes?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2018

Publication Title

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Overweight is a well-established risk factor for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). In this cross-sectional study, we compare HS patients with a high body mass index (BMI) with HS patients with a low BMI to investigate differences in disease characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients were recruited from 17 dermatological centres from four continents. A total of 246 patients with a BMI below 25 were compared to 205 patients with a BMI of above 35.

RESULTS: Patients with a high BMI suffered more severe disease (Hurley, physician global assessment, number of areas affected and patient-reported severity (PRS), P < 0.001 for all). There was no difference in smoking (P = 0.783) nor in family history (P = 0.088). In both low and high BMI patients, early onset of HS was a predictor of positive family history (P < 0.001, for each). For low BMI patients, an increase in BMI significantly increased PRS (P < 0.001). For patients with a high BMI, number of pack-years significantly increased PRS (P = 0.001). Cluster analysis of eruption patterns was location specific for low BMI patients but severity specific for high BMI patients.

DISCUSSION: Patients with a low and high BMI could represent two clinically different subtypes. We suggest a non-linear relationship between BMI and impact of HS. As patients go from a low BMI patient to a high BMI patient (or from high to low), eruption patterns and risk factors may change.

Medical Subject Headings

Adult; Age of Onset; Body Mass Index; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Humans; Male; Obesity; Protective Factors; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Smoking; Young Adult

PubMed ID

28940801

Volume

32

Issue

2

First Page

307

Last Page

312

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