Self-Reported Pain Mediating Methods in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Background: Pain is a common, important symptom negatively affecting the well-being and quality of life of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The aim of this study was to examine self-reported pain alleviating methods among outpatients attending a tertiary referral center. Methods: Consecutive patients with HS were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding their self-reported pain alleviating methods for HS associated pain. Additionally, the patients filled out the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire and a visual analog scale for overall distress related to HS and for boil-associated pain in the past month. Information on disease severity and onset was obtained by interview and clinical examination. Results: A total of 134 patients with a mean age of 38.3 years (SD 12.8) participated; 32% (n = 43) had Hurley stage', 52% (n = 70) had Hurley stage and 16% (n = 21) had Hurley stage Overall, to achieve pain relief, 82% (n = 110) of the patients had previously drained pus from the lesions by manual pressure. Compared to patients who did not alleviate pain, patients who attempted to alleviate pain had a higher mean overall disease related distress score (7.43 [SD 2.81] vs. 5.47 [SD].37], P9.003), and a higher boil-associated pain score in the past month (6.56 [SD].07] vs. 4.39 [SD 3.88], P=.007). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a large proportion of HS patients attempt to alleviate pain through various alternative and homespun methods. These results may reflect a major role of pain in HS and its potential insufficient management by dermatologists. (C) 2020 AEDV. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.