The association of hidradenitis suppurativa with cigarette smoking and cannabis use: a cross-sectional study in the All of Us Research Program

November 22, 2024

This plain-language research summary was generated by AI, courtesy of HS Simplified.

AI Generated Content Verified By: Anna Eisenstein, M.D. Ph.D. | Yale School of Medicine

The association of hidradenitis suppurativa with cigarette smoking and cannabis use: a cross-sectional study in the All of Us Research Program

In a study from 2024, researchers explored the link between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)—a chronic inflammatory skin condition causing painful lumps and tunnels—and the use of cigarettes and cannabis. HS was significantly associated with both smoking and cannabis use; however, the role of cannabis, often used for pain, remains unclear. Further research into these substances may provide insights into managing HS, where reducing cigarette smoking already shows benefits.

What is Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)?

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a long-lasting skin disease that causes painful bumps, tunnels under the skin, and scars. These mostly show up where skin touches skin, like the armpits or groin. Doctors aren’t sure exactly what causes HS, but it’s thought to start when hair follicles (tiny openings where hair grows) get blocked, leading to swelling, infection, and tunnels.

Why Study Smoking and Cannabis Use?

Previous research has shown a strong link between cigarette smoking and HS. Some studies have also noticed that people with HS use cannabis (marijuana) more than people without HS. Scientists aren’t sure if smoking cannabis causes HS, makes it worse, or if people with HS use them to help with pain.

How Did the Scientists Study This?

Chen and the team used a large health database called the “All of Us Research Program.” They looked at medical records of over 266,000 people. They found 1,653 people with HS and compared them to the rest of the group who didn’t have HS. They checked who smoked cigarettes, who used cannabis, and also recorded things like age, gender, race, income, and body weight.

What Did They Find?

People with HS were much more likely to smoke cigarettes (29% vs 16% in those without HS) and to use cannabis (15% vs 8% in those without HS). Even after making sure these results weren’t caused by things like age or weight, having HS made it:

• 75% more likely that a person smoked cigarettes

• 54% more likely that a person used cannabis

Limitations of the Study

There are some things this study couldn’t answer. The scientists couldn’t prove that smoking or cannabis use causes HS, only that there is a link. They also didn’t know exactly when people started using these substances compared to when they got HS, or what form of cannabis (smoked, eaten, or topical) people used.

What Does This Mean?

This large study confirms that people with HS are more likely to smoke and use cannabis. Quitting cigarette smoking may help lower the chance of getting HS or make it less severe. For cannabis, it’s not clear if it helps or hurts HS, or if people use it just to feel better from the pain. More research is needed to know for sure.

Key Terms Explained

• Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS): A skin disease with painful bumps, tunnels, and scars.

• Cannabis: Another word for marijuana; used for recreation or to help some medical problems.

• Odds Ratio: A number showing how much more likely something is to happen in one group compared to another.

• Cross-sectional Study: A type of research that looks at data from a lot of people at one point in time.

Author(s)

Gloria F Chen, William D Shipman, Christine Hodelin, Henry C Hsia, Jeffrey M Cohen, Anna Eisenstein

Read Original Paper

https://academic.oup.com/ced/article-abstract/50/5/1042/7906720?redirectedFrom=fulltext