HS Comorbidities Update

The talk provides an updated overview of comorbidities associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), emphasizing the need for dermatologists to be aware of these complexities to improve screening and treatment strategies. The speaker mentions recent findings from large database studies indicating increased rates of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic kidney disease (CKD) in HS patients, and a heightened risk of malignancies, especially lymphoproliferative disorders. Specific populations identified at risk for CKD include younger females and non-smokers. Treatment implications are discussed, highlighting that while some antibiotics can be used safely in patients with CKD, others may require dose adjustments. The speaker underscores the link between HS and inflammatory arthritis, particularly highlighting the underdiagnosis of inflammatory arthritis in HS patients, and calls for a standardized naming system for this condition. The importance of recognizing perianal issues in HS, especially their association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is also noted, along with appropriate referral for diagnostic imaging such as pelvic MRI for perianal fistulas. The session concludes by reiterating the dermatologists' role in screening for an expanding list of comorbidities and the importance of collaboration with primary care providers to ensure comprehensive patient management.