Research letter

Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa may suffer from neuropathic pain: A Finnish multicenter study

La hidrosadenitis supurativa (HS) es una situación crónica y dolorosa con impacto negativo en la actividad diaria. Se ha reportado poca información sobre el impacto que tienen los factores específicos de la enfermedad en el nivel educativo y el estatus ocupacional de los pacientes con esta situación. Nuestro objetivo fue identificar el modo en que dichos factores específicos de la enfermedad podrían influir en el nivel educativo y el estatus ocupacional de los pacientes con HS.

Estudio transversal de pacientes con HS examinados entre septiembre del 2017 y septiembre del 2018. Se analizaron las variables específicas de la enfermedad para encontrar una asociación en los pacientes con diferentes niveles educativos y estatus ocupacionales.

Se incluyó a 98 pacientes. Los pacientes con estudios no universitarios tenían afectadas más frecuentemente ≥ 3 zonas (22,5% [16/73] vs. 4,8% [1/22], p = 0,049), un elevado número de días con dolor (8,5 [DE 8,8] vs. 4,6 [DE 4,8], p = 0,048) y una alta puntuación en la escala visual analógica del dolor (EVA) (6,7 [DE 2,8] vs. 5 [3,3], p = 0,031). Los pacientes pertenecientes al grupo inactivo tenían un número considerablemente incrementado de días con dolor (11,2 [DE 10,4] vs. 5,7 [DE 6,2], p = 0,004). Este grupo tenía un mayor número de pacientes con historia de depresión (61,3% [19/31] vs. 27,4% [17/62], p = 0,002) y un mayor índice de masa corporal (IMC) medio (32,3 [9,1] vs. 28,4 [6,4], p = 0,016). El inicio tardío de la enfermedad se asoció significativamente a la situación de «inactivo» (26,7% [8/31] vs. 6,5% [4/62], p = 0,026). No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las escalas de gravedad de la HS, el nivel educativo y el estatus ocupacional. Limitaciones: estudio transversal y unicéntrico.

El dolor, ≥ 3 zonas afectadas, la historia de depresión, el IMC más elevado y la aparición tardía de la HS, están asociados a un bajo nivel educativo y una situación ocupacional inactiva.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and painful condition with negative impact on daily activity. Little information on the impact of disease-specific factors on educational level and occupational status in hidradenitis suppurativa patients has been reported. We sought to identify how disease-specific factors could influence occupational status and educational level in patients with HS.

Cross-sectional study of patients with HS seen between September 2017 and September 2018. Disease-specific variables were analyzed to find associations in patients with different educational levels and occupational status.

Ninety-eight patients were included. Patients with non-university studies had more frequently ≥ 3 affected areas (22.5% [16/73] vs. 4.8% [1/22], p = 0.049), a higher number of painful days (8.5 [SD 8.8] vs. 4.6 [SD 4.8], p = 0.048) and a higher score on the VAS scale (6.7 [SD 2.8] vs. 5.0 [3.3], p = 0.031). Patients from the inactive group had a significantly increased number of painful days (11.2 [SD 10.4] vs. 5.7 [SD 6.2], p = 0.004). This group had a greater number of patients with a history of depression (61.3% [19/31] vs. 27.4% [17/62], p = 0.002) and a higher mean BMI (32.3 [9.1] vs. 28.4 [6.4], p = 0.016). Late disease onset was significantly associated with being «inactive» (26.7% [8/31] vs. 6.5% [4/62], p = 0.026). No significant differences between severity scales of HS and educational level or occupational status were found. Limitations: cross-sectional and single center study.

Pain, ≥ 3 affected areas, history of depression, higher mean BMI, and late onset of HS, are associated with low education level and inactive occupational status.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic and debilitating skin disease, whose lesions can range from inflammatory nodules to abscesses and fistulas in the armpits, groin, perineum, inframammary region. Diagnosis can be confused with a large number of clinical pictures, and although studies on hidradenitis suppurativa are not so scarce in the literature, doctors are often unaware of this disease and therefore its diagnosis is often late. Pharmacological treatment ranges from retinoids to immunosuppression and radiation therapy, and surgical treatment ranges from incision and drainage to more complete excisions and laser therapies. Hidradenitis suppurativa is a disease seen and treated mainly by dermatologists and general surgeons, however, it is necessary for general practitioners to have basic knowledge about this entity, as they are the first line of care in the health system.

Pain contributes substantially to reduced quality of life in individuals living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Although improved understanding of HS pathogenesis and treatment has resulted in improved evidence-based HS management guidelines, comprehensive pain management guidelines have yet to be developed. Few HS-specific data exist to guide pharmacologic analgesia; however, recognizing HS pain as either acute or chronic and predominantly nociceptive (aching and gnawing pain due to tissue damage) versus neuropathic (burning-type pain due to somatosensory nervous system dysfunction) provides a conceptual framework for applying outside pain management practices to HS management. This article incorporates the best available evidence from the HS and pain literature to propose an HS pain algorithm that integrates psychological, pharmacologic, and complementary and alternative treatment modalities.