An overview of the epidemiology and the apparent rising incidence of hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativawas originally classified as a rare disease, but larger, more recent epidemiologic studies suggest a global prevalence of 0.5% to 1%, Porter said. In the United States, about two-thirds of patients are female, while in Asia and the Middle East that ratio is flipped. Porter notes that the increase in patients being seen is more likely a claims or coding issue reflecting greater awareness than a true rise in incidence, as these patients were often coded with conditions such as folliculitis, furuncles or carbuncles. Black patients in the United States tend to present with more severe disease and disproportionately use emergency, urgent care and inpatient settings, but it is not clear whether that reflects differences in disease progression or lack of access to care, she said.