The impact of hidradenitis suppurativa on professional life.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects intertriginous skin. OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of work ability and productivity impairment as a result of HS in Germany. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre, epidemiological, noninterventional study of patients with HS was conducted. Medical history, medical examination performed by dermatologists and patient-reported outcomes [Work Ability Index (WAI) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)] were collected. RESULTS: Of the 481 patients with HS included in the study, 99% were below the current statutory retirement age. In total, 53·3% of patients were working full time, 16·8% part time and 7·3% had retired. The unemployment rate was 12·6%, two times higher than in the general German population. Medical leave because of HS, within the last 6 months, was reported in 41·4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 36·9-46·0], with a duration of 39·3 days on average (95% CI 32·4-46·1). The mean HS-related WPAI absenteeism was 13.3% (95% CI 9·7-16·8), and the loss in productivity because of HS during working hours (WPAI presenteeism) was 25.2% (95% CI 21·8-28·6). Presenteeism was associated with HS disease severity. Overall work impairment because of HS was 33·4% (95% CI 29·3-37·6). The WAI score for patients was 32·2, ∼20% lower than for the average German employee. Only 62·8% of patients were relatively certain that they would be able to perform their work in the coming 2 years. Being more depressed and having more severe pain were associated with lower work ability and overall work impairment. The estimated annual loss of gross value added because of HS for Germany was ∼€12.6 billion (€3.3 billion related to a lower employment rate, €3.5 billion related to absenteeism and €5.8 billion related to presenteeism). CONCLUSIONS: HS leads to a substantial decrease in work ability and productivity and considerable loss of gross value added. Impairment during working hours correlates with disease severity, underlining the socioeconomic importance of early and adequate treatment. Furthermore, decreased work ability and productivity is linked to depressed mood and severe pain, aspects that need more attention in patient care.

Delayed Diagnosis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Its Effect on Patients and Healthcare System.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a neglected chronic inflammatory disease with long delay in diagnosis. Besides pain, purulent discharge, and destruction of skin architecture, HS patients experience metabolic, musculoskeletal, and psychological disorders. OBJECTIVES: To determine the delay in HS diagnosis and its consequences for patients and the healthcare system. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, epidemiologic, non-interventional cross-sectional trial carried out in Germany and based on self-reported questionnaires and medical examinations performed by dermatologists. In total, data of 394 adult HS patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The average duration from manifestation of first symptoms until HS diagnosis was 10.0 ± 9.6 (mean ± SD) years. During this time, HS patients consulted on average more than 3 different physicians - most frequently general practitioners, dermatologists, surgeons, gynecologists - and faced more than 3 misdiagnoses. Diagnosis delay was longer in younger and non-smoking patients. In most cases, HS was correctly diagnosed by dermatologists. The longer the delay of diagnosis, the greater the disease severity at diagnosis. Delayed HS diagnosis was also associated with an increased number of surgically treated sites, concomitant diseases, and days of work missed. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates an enormous delay in the diagnosis of HS, which results in more severe disease. It also shows for the first time that a delay in diagnosis of a chronic inflammatory disease leads to a higher number of concomitant systemic disorders. In addition to the impaired health status, delayed diagnosis of HS was associated with impairment of the professional life of affected people.

The Effect of TNF-α Inhibitors on Nail Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis-Real-World Data from Dermatology Practice.

Patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) often develop joint symptoms years after their initial diagnosis of psoriasis disease; therefore, dermatologists should test for and detect PsA early. In this study, we focused on patients with psoriasis with both nail and joint disease being treated with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors by dermatologists. We performed a noninterventional, prospective, multicenter, and open-label study to evaluate the effectiveness of adalimumab, etanercept, or infliximab over 24 months of continuous therapy in patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis (Pso) and PsA. Disease assessments with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI), joint assessment, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) instruments were performed every 3 months for the first year and twice annually thereafter. The cohort included 100 patients with Pso, nail psoriasis, and PsA. A significant reduction of NAPSI was observed 3 months after therapy initiation compared with the baseline (mean ± SD, 22.9 ± 17.8 vs. 33.8 ± 21.4; p < 0.001). Similarly, the mean ± SD number of both tender and swollen joints decreased significantly within the first 3 months of treatment, from 10.8 ± 11.5 to 6.4 ± 10.3 (p < 0.001) and from 6.4 ± 9.5 to 3.1 ± 7.2 (p < 0.001), respectively. Additionally, the distal interphalangeal joint involvement improved throughout the observation time, and DLQI and HAQ scores decreased. Improvements in control of skin, nail, and joint symptoms were seen, as well as in patients' quality of life and functionality. Dermatologists have an important role not only in PsA diagnosis but also in PsA long-term care.