Prevalence and comorbidities associated with hidradenitis suppurativa in Korea: a nationwide population-based study

BackgroundThe prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in Asia is unknown. The associations between HS and other autoimmune disorders have rarely been reported. ObjectiveWe sought to determine the prevalence of and diseases associated with HS using the National Health Insurance (NHI) database. MethodsWe examined Korean NHI claim database data from 2007 to 2016. We enrolled all patients with HS and age- and sex-matched control subjects without HS. We estimated the period prevalence of HS and associated comorbidities in Korea. ResultsWe identified 28516 patients with HS (61.3% males and 38.7% females). The period prevalence rate was 0.06%, 55.8 patients (95% confidence interval 55.1-56.4) per 100000 persons, and the female-to-male ratio was 1:1.6. HS patients were at significantly increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, acne conglobata, pilonidal cysts, psoriasis, pyoderma gangrenosum, alopecia areata and vitiligo. ConclusionThe overall prevalence of HS in Korea was lower than that in Western populations, and male patients predominated. Linked article: This article is commented on by G.B.E. Jemec, p. 1625 in this issue. To view this article visit