Half of Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa Experience a Postpartum Flare

According to a study published in Dermatology, pregnancy can result in an improvement in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), but most patients have a stable or worsened disease course and more than half experience postpartum flares.

Researchers aimed to analyze the impact of pregnancy on HS disease course by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Available literature published between the inception of the PubMed and Embase databases and November 22, 2020, were systematically searched. Inclusion criteria included a study population with an HS diagnosis and discussion of pregnancy impact on HS disease course or postpartum flare. Data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

A total of 8 studies were analyzed. It was found that during pregnancy, the rate of HS disease improvement was 24% and the rate of HS disease worsening was 20%. A postpartum flare was experienced in 60% of the patients.

“While about a quarter of women will experience an improvement in HS during pregnancy, the majority will have a stable or worsened disease course, and over half of patients will experience a postpartum flare,” concluded the study authors. “Close monitoring of HS patients is needed during pregnancy and postpartum periods, as patients may need continued, or even escalated, disease management,” they added.

Reference
Seivright JR, Villa NM, Grogan T, et al. Impact of pregnancy on hidradenitis suppurativa disease course: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Dermatology. 2022;238(2):260-266. doi:10.1159/000517283