HSF - Prevalence of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)

"General practitioners and most specialists are more familiar with the dramatic aspect of severe disease and remember this picture, thus possibly overlooking the less severe cases that are intermittent, benign or of medium severity. This failure to recognize mild forms of
HS explains why the prevalence of HS is
generally underestimated."
Poli, Jemec, Revuz 2006

HS appears to indiscriminately affect the global population, and can be found in many countries, affecting many different cultures. The global incidence (newly developed cases over a given period of time) of HS is largely unknown as there is no precise method for establishing criteria for the onset of HS. Prevalence estimates (cases present in a given population at a point in time, regardless of onset) of HS do however, exist. The best medical evidence available today, based on a large 2005 survey within France, puts the one-year prevalence of HS at about 1% of the population.

A 1% prevalence of HS demonstrates an extraordinary and controversial global disease burden. Based on the most current medical and scientific knowledge, it is reasonable to state that the majority of those with HS may not have a satisfactory diagnosis for their disease at any point in time (these are people in Stages I and II: See Treatment). Prevalence of any disease may increase if it persists for a long time with no satisfactory cure, and it is reasonable to surmise that the prevalence of HS may be increasing for this reason.

In order to develop effective and targeted therapies and preventative measures, it is essential that scientific and medical knowledge about HS increases to the point where improved and accurate diagnostic methods can be developed and then subsequently utilized on a global basis. A standardized and accurate method and manner for the diagnosis of HS will then provide the basis for more meaningful, large scale incidence and prevalence studies over time. [1-3]

Expert Medical Perspectives
Rationale for Future Epidemiological Studies: For the future a larger collaborative research network promoting more systematic research activity would be desirable. Relatively simple measures, such as prevalence rates, are of great interest if obtained according to uniform methods in different countries, e.g., several European countries, allowing international comparison and ecological correlations. [2]