BURDEN OF DISEASE IN ADOLESCENT HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA: AN OBSERVATIONAL COHORT STUDY
Author(s)
Kathryn Starzyk, MSc, Anna Swenson, MPH, Mudit Bhartia, MS, Karthikeyan Arthanari, BS, Paul Buzinec, MS.
OM1, Boston, MA, USA.
OM1, Boston, MA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is increasingly recognized in adolescents, presenting before adulthood and associated with substantial physical, psychosocial, and quality of life burdens. This study describes the characteristics and comorbidity profile in this age group, including endocrine disorders, obesity, metabolic syndrome, acne, anxiety, and depression.
METHODS: The study utilized a clinical cohort of U.S. patients managed by dermatologists from the OM1 Dermatology Network (OM1, Inc; Boston, MA), which includes deep clinical data with linked medical and pharmacy claims starting from 2013. Inclusion criteria included aged 10-18 at first encounter with an HS diagnosis (index period 2013-2025). Demographics, comorbidities and disease stage were evaluated, with a contemporaneous adult population utilized as a comparator.
RESULTS: Study included 5,861 adolescent patients, majority of which were female (82%), white (65%) and non-Hispanic (89%). Mean age was 15.7 years (SD 2). Most common lesion locations included groin, axilla, and lower extremities. Many adolescent patients (43%) had acne reported prior to HS diagnosis, which was less common in adults (26%). Most common comorbidities/medical history in adolescents included obesity (19%), dermal and mucosal cysts (15%), anxiety (12%), ADHD (11%), and depression (11%), compared to adults who had higher rates of obesity (38%), depression (20%), anxiety (21%), Type 2 diabetes (11%), and substance abuse (8%). In patients with a Hurley Score available, being male and adult at time of first diagnosis was associated with higher stage (71% Stage 2 or 3) as compared to females and adolescents. Treatment with topical steroids (43%) and antibiotics (70%) was common in adolescents, as was injectable steroids (32%), antidepressants (34%), and anti-anxiolytics (39%). Rates of advanced therapies (e.g., TNFi and IL-17 inhibitors) were similar to that seen in adults.
CONCLUSIONS: Better understanding of how adolescent patients with HS present can aid earlier diagnosis and better tailored care.
METHODS: The study utilized a clinical cohort of U.S. patients managed by dermatologists from the OM1 Dermatology Network (OM1, Inc; Boston, MA), which includes deep clinical data with linked medical and pharmacy claims starting from 2013. Inclusion criteria included aged 10-18 at first encounter with an HS diagnosis (index period 2013-2025). Demographics, comorbidities and disease stage were evaluated, with a contemporaneous adult population utilized as a comparator.
RESULTS: Study included 5,861 adolescent patients, majority of which were female (82%), white (65%) and non-Hispanic (89%). Mean age was 15.7 years (SD 2). Most common lesion locations included groin, axilla, and lower extremities. Many adolescent patients (43%) had acne reported prior to HS diagnosis, which was less common in adults (26%). Most common comorbidities/medical history in adolescents included obesity (19%), dermal and mucosal cysts (15%), anxiety (12%), ADHD (11%), and depression (11%), compared to adults who had higher rates of obesity (38%), depression (20%), anxiety (21%), Type 2 diabetes (11%), and substance abuse (8%). In patients with a Hurley Score available, being male and adult at time of first diagnosis was associated with higher stage (71% Stage 2 or 3) as compared to females and adolescents. Treatment with topical steroids (43%) and antibiotics (70%) was common in adolescents, as was injectable steroids (32%), antidepressants (34%), and anti-anxiolytics (39%). Rates of advanced therapies (e.g., TNFi and IL-17 inhibitors) were similar to that seen in adults.
CONCLUSIONS: Better understanding of how adolescent patients with HS present can aid earlier diagnosis and better tailored care.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EPH171
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
SDC: Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin), STA: Biologics & Biosimilars