Depression and anxiety in hidradenitis suppurativa patients: a cross-sectional study among Polish patients

Introduction:
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent and one of the most debilitating dermatoses. It usually presents with inflamed lesions in apocrine gland-bearing skin areas. There is a limited number of studies on the relationship between HS and depression as well as anxiety.

Aim:
To evaluate the incidence and severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms among Polish patients suffering from HS.

Material and methods:
Consecutive patients (N = 114) with HS were included in the cross-sectional study. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaires were employed to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. The severity of HS was measured with Hurley staging and International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Score System (IHS4).

Results:
Symptoms suggesting depression were found in 47 (41.2%) patients. Anxiety was diagnosed in 46 (40.4%) HS cases. Among HS patients presenting with depressive and anxiety symptoms, most were diagnosed with moderate depression – 21 (44.7%) and mild anxiety – 29 (63.1%). There was no difference in the prevalence of anxiety and depression between both sex groups. A significant correlation (r = 0.197, p = 0.039) between GAD-7 scores and duration of the disease was noted.

Conclusions:
Depression and anxiety are common phenomena among HS subjects. Therefore, physicians should consider mental status in the holistic approach of HS patients.