Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa Presents Similar Clinical Spectrum to Adult-Onset Disease

According to a study published in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) presents a similar clinical spectrum to adult-onset disease and preventive measures should focus on obesity and smoking.

Researchers performed a cross-sectional study on the clinical features and treatment approaches of pediatric HS and reported relevant risk factors, comorbidity profile, and treatment patterns of a hospital-based cohort. A comparison cohort was developed using data from the national HS disease registry.

Compared with the reference population, pediatric patients with HS had higher smoking rates and were more likely to be overweight or obese. Moderate-severe disease was associated with patients’ older age at baseline and higher body mass index. Severity or extent of disease was not associated with family history and early or prepubertal onset of disease. A total of 59.3% of patients with pediatric HS used clindamycin-based and zinc sulphate-based combination regimens. The pediatric HS cohort and general HS population differed by female preponderance, family history of disease, and extensive involvement.

“Pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa presents a clinical spectrum comparable to adult-onset disease,” concluded the study authors. “Increased preventive measures should target obesity and smoking in this population,” they added.

Reference
Garcovich S, Fania L, Caposiena D, et al. Pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa: a cross-sectional study on clinical features and treatment approaches. J Cutan Med Surg. 2022;26(2):127-134. doi:10.1177/12034754211039993