Global Study Finds Nearly 1 Percent of Population Affected by Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Denmark: A new meta-analysis published in JAMA Dermatology has revealed that hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic and often debilitating inflammatory skin disorder, affects nearly 1% of the global population.
The study, led by Dorra Bouazzi and colleagues from the Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, utilized data from the Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas to provide the most comprehensive prevalence estimates to date.
HS is characterized by recurrent, painful nodules and abscesses that typically occur in skin folds, such as the armpits and groin. Despite its significant physical and psychological impact, standardized global data on HS prevalence and associated risk factors have been limited. This study aimed to close that gap by pooling findings across diverse regions.
The analysis included 22,743 participants from 25 studies spanning 23 countries across six continents. Among them, 247 individuals were diagnosed with HS through clinical evaluation following an initial screening questionnaire. The pooled global prevalence was calculated at 0.99% (95% CI, 0.67%–1.46%), a figure notably higher than earlier worldwide estimates.
The following were the key findings of the study:
- There was considerable variability in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) prevalence across different geographic locations, suggesting the role of yet-unidentified regional or population-level factors.
- Female sex was the only factor consistently associated with increased HS prevalence, with women making up a median of 55.6% of patients and showing a significant association (β = 1.02).
- Other suspected risk factors—including age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status—did not show any significant association with HS prevalence.
- Broader socioeconomic indicators, such as gross domestic product (GDP) and Human Development Index (HDI), were also not linked to differences in prevalence.
The median age of patients across studies was 34.5 years, which aligns with HS being a disease that typically manifests in early to mid-adulthood. However, the wide variability in prevalence estimates (I² > 75%) underlined the need for further research into genetic, environmental, and healthcare-related contributors to this heterogeneity.
The authors emphasized that this analysis not only provides an updated and more accurate picture of HS prevalence but also underscores the unmet need for global awareness, timely diagnosis, and improved management strategies for affected patients. Given its substantial burden on quality of life, the findings highlight HS as a more common condition than previously assumed, warranting greater public health attention.
The study concludes that while female sex emerged as the strongest determinant of HS prevalence, the substantial international variation in rates calls for additional studies exploring genetic, environmental, and etiological factors to better understand the underlying mechanisms of this chronic disease.
Reference:
Bouazzi D, Nielsen SM, Hagan PG, et al. Prevalence of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Meta-Analysis of Global Hidradenitis Suppurativa Atlas Studies. JAMA Dermatol. Published online August 27, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.2373
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