Factors predicting the self-evaluated health of hidradenitis suppurativa patients recruited from an outpatient clinic

Abstract

Objectives

In recent years, Hidradenitis suppurativa has received increased attention, but still lack well-defined, robust patient reported outcome measures. Such measures are likely to be influenced by contextual factors. We therefore aim to describe the association of biological and other factors with HS patient's self-evaluated health as reflected by the EQ5D VAS score.

Methods

This cross-sectional study measured basic information, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Major Depression Inventory, and Euro-QoL-5D. Information obtained through questionnaires was used to create a model showing the relation between biologic factors, questionnaire results and self-evaluated health using the stepwise method for linear regression.

HS patients (n=805) registered at our department were invited to participate. 503 (62.5%) patients replied to this survey. There was no difference in basic demographics between responders and non-responders.

Results

Possible predictors for this study were DLQI, MDI, BMI, smoking, gender. A final model for correlation with self-evaluated health was obtained.

Significant predictors for the model was DLQI (P < 0.05), BMI points above 25 and active smoking (both: P < 0.01) and MDI (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

As this is a cross-sectional study, reveals several clinically relevant correlations. Smoking appears to correlate with the highest change in VAS score, but an MDI of 10 (lower than study average) or a BMI of 40 influences the results more. This study provides an assessment of how much BMI and smoking, in relation to other factors, correlate to the self-evaluated health state of HS patients. These may therefore be relevant contextual factors to the construction and interpretation of specific patient reported outcome measures.

To improve QoL, we advocate smoking cessation and weight loss, and advice active screening for depression as over 10% of our patients qualify for a depressive diagnosis according to ICD-10.

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