Stigmatization and perceived health status in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: an observational multicenter study in Europe

Marron, Servando E., Gracia-Cazaña, Tamara, Sampogna, Francesca, Schut, Christina, Kupfer, Joerg, Dalgard, Florence J., Bewley, Anthony, Beugen, Sylvia van, Gieler, Uwe, Lien, Lars, Ständer, Sonja, Vulink, Nienke, Finlay, Andrew Y. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2143-1646, Legat, Franz J., Titeca, Geraldine, Jemec, Gregor B., Misery, Laurent, Szabo, Csanad, Grivcheva-Panovska, Vesna, Spillekom-van Koulil, Saskia, Balieva, Flora, Szepietowski, Jacek C., Reich, Adam, Roque Ferreira, Barbara, Lvov, Andrey, Romanov, Dmitry, Svensson, Ake, Altunay, Ilknur K., Thompson, Andrew R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6788-7222, Zeidler, Claudia and Tomas-Aragones, Lucía 2025. Stigmatization and perceived health status in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: an observational multicenter study in Europe. International Journal of Dermatology 64 (5) , pp. 861-869. 10.1111/ijd.17569 Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can severely affect the quality of life (QoL) and is linked to psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and reduced self-esteem. Stigmatization due to physical appearance may significantly contribute to the psychological burden and impact on QoL for HS patients. This study investigates the association between stigmatization, depression, anxiety, and health- and disease-related variables among HS patients in Europe. Patients and methods: This observational cross-sectional multicenter study was conducted across 22 dermatological outpatient clinics in 17 European countries. Data collected included sociodemographic variables, general health variables, disease-related variables, perceived stigmatization (PSQ), and mental health (PHQ-2, GAD-2). Results: Of the 5487 dermatological patients, 142 (2.6%) were diagnosed with HS, and data from 135 patients (70.1% women, mean age 38.2 years) who completed the PSQ questionnaire were analyzed. Scores on the stigmatization measure indicated that significant stigmatization levels were present in the sample. Linear regression models revealed a significant relationship between stigmatization and both the duration of HS and the presence of itch. Similar findings were noted for the PSQ “confused/staring behavior” scale with depression. The PSQ “absence of friendly behavior” scale was inversely associated with general health status, whereas the “hostile behavior” scale was positively linked to depression. Conclusion: HS patients experience significant stigmatization linked to disease duration, itch, and depression. Comprehensive management, including screening for psychosocial co-morbidity, is essential, as is providing access to psychological interventions that support patients to both manage internal distress and the potential reactions of others.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine Schools > Psychology
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	0011-9059
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	12 November 2024
Date of Acceptance:	24 October 2024
Last Modified:	23 Apr 2025 09:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/173406

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