Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Greek Patients' Perspective on Disease Burden

Speaker(s)

Liakou AΙ1, Katoulis A2, Sotiriou E3, Miggiani E4, Kapsogeorgiou K5, Ignatiadi D5, Madia X5, Karachaliou E5, Kalogeropoulou M6
11st Department of Dermatology and Venereology, “Andreas Sygros” Hospital for Venereal and Cutaneous diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece, Athens, Greece, 2National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 3Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece, 4Β' Department of Dermatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece, 5Novartis (Hellas) S.A.C.I., Athens, Metamorphosis, Greece, 6IQVIA, Athens, Greece

Presentation Documents

INTRODUCTION: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, progressive, debilitating, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease characterized by persistent or recurrent, painful nodules, abscesses and fistulas. HS is associated with a significant decrease in patients' quality of life, which makes the selection of the appropriate therapy extremely important. Despite the impairment in QoL of patients with HS, there is a lack of evidence and clear understanding of disease burden in Greece. Therefore, patients’ insights are important to get a holistic perspective of the disease.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to understand disease burden, challenges faced by patients and unmet needs in HS in Greece.

METHODS: The survey was conducted via a structured questionnaire and patients’ recruitment was implemented via physicians. All patients signed a Consent Form to participate in the survey

RESULTS: Twelve patients with HS participated in the survey. The most frequent signs/symptoms reported were pruritus, abscesses, fistulas and noisome purulent discharge. The majority (67%) of patients have been in emergency situation (acute onset of new or worsened inflammatory nodules, abscesses) and 42% of patients needed emergency care 1-2 times/year. The highest rate of patients who stayed on a hospital ward within the last year was among pts with severe HS (20%). The most important difficulty HS patients face is psychological burden. Only 8% of patients received psychological support, while 67% would like to have the opportunity. Patients state that HS primarily impacts their social activities, leading them to blame themselves, experience feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, and sadness more often than once a month.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with moderate to severe HS experience a high disease burden, due to required everyday care, that impacts daily activities, work and socialization. This study demonstrates the impact of HS on a patient’s psychosocial well-being and emphasizes the importance of treating patients from a holistic standpoint.

Code

PCR84

Topic

Patient-Centered Research

Topic Subcategory

Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes, Stated Preference & Patient Satisfaction

Disease

No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)