Depression in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease with abscess formation and scarring predominantly in the inverse areas. The disease is often difficult to treat and patients experience a decreased quality of life (QoL). It is hypothesized that depression is more common in HS patients than among other dermatological patients. Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of depression in patients with HS. Methods In total 211 HS patients were included in the study and 233 were dermatological control patients. Their QoL and depression scores were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Major Depression Inventory (MDI) questionnaires. HS severity was recorded with a questionnaire and Hurley stages were extracted from the case records. Results The DLQI was significantly higher for HS patients than for the control patients, 8.4 +/- 7.5 vs. 4.3 +/- 5.6 (