JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Recent studies utilizing clinical public databases have revolutionized our understanding of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin condition with significant impacts on patient quality of life. These databases enable researchers to conduct large-scale studies integrating genetic, epidemiological, and clinical data, providing crucial insights into HS's genetic predispositions, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes. Findings highlight a strong genetic component and elevated risks for comorbidities like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in HS patients. While these databases offer unprecedented research opportunities, limitations such as data representativeness and quality must be considered. Nonetheless, their benefits outweigh potential drawbacks, allowing identification of rare comorbidities, disease progression patterns, and personalized treatment strategies. Increased funding for HS research is crucial to harness these databases' full potential, develop targeted therapies, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. As HS's impact is disproportionate to current research investments, advocating for more resources and addressing database limitations will be key to advancing HS understanding and care.