Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Dermatology
Date Submitted: Mar 29, 2024
Date Accepted: Jun 15, 2024
Cross-Sectional Study Evaluating Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients: Prevalence and Associated Factors
ABSTRACT
Background:
The prevalence and factors associated with musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) patients have yet to be elucidated. Given the association between HS and inflammatory co-morbidities, understanding the burden of MSK symptoms in HS patients is crucial for patient-centered care.
Objective:
Our objective was to describe the prevalence and factors associated with MSK symptoms in HS patients.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 78 consecutive patients, recruited between November 2021 and February 2023, with a dermatology-confirmed diagnosis of HS, irrespective of MSK symptoms, was performed.
Results:
The average age of participants was 37 years, and average age at symptom onset was 23 years. 54% of participants identified as women, and 46% men. The most common comorbidities included depression (22%, N=17) and pre-existing arthritis (16%, N=12). Approximately 24% of participants reported prolonged morning stiffness (N=18). In multivariate regression, depression was significantly associated with morning stiffness (OR: 6.10, P = 0.02; 95% CI: 1.43 to 26.12), while female sex was significantly associated with arthralgia (OR: 19.14; 95% CI: 1.56 to 235.24). Every patient with depression reported arthralgia. Conclusion: We highlight the high prevalence of MSK symptoms among HS patients and note the interplay between depression and MSK symptoms, with each one potentially contributing to the other.
Citation
Request queued. Please wait while the file is being generated. It may take some time.
Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.