Demographic and health care service utilization by 4417 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Background Data on the health care utilization of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in primary care settings are scarce. Objective To investigate the health care service utilization of patients with HS. Methods In a cross-sectional study, patients with HS were compared with 2 age- and sex-matched control groups—general population enrollees of Clalit Health Services and a group of patients with psoriasis. Health care services data included inpatient and outpatient community clinic visits and pharmacy claims for topical and systemic treatments. Multivariate analysis of the data for patients with HS and controls was performed. Results The study included 4417 patients with HS, 22,085 general population enrollees, and 4417 patients with psoriasis. On the basis of multivariate analyses, patients with HS had more annual dermatology clinic visits compared with the general population enrollees (odds ratio [OR], 6.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.06-5.97) and patients with psoriasis (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.44-1.21), more annual surgical clinic visits (OR, 3.78; 95% CI 3.28-4.36 and OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.42-1.91, respectively), and more hospitalizations (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.89-2.56 and OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.28-1.78, respectively). Limitations Underestimation of HS frequency was possible. Conclusions The burden on health care systems due to patients with HS is greater than that due to patients with psoriasis and the general population.