Postoperative Quality of Life in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa Utilizing the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Burden of Disease Tool

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) severely impacts patients’ quality of life (QoL). Surgery has shown potential in improving a patient's QoL in severe disease. Previous studies have evaluated QoL after surgery, but lack a disease-specific questionnaire to better evaluate the unique burden of disease that patients with HS experience. Objective To measure postoperative QoL in patients with HS using a modified version of the disease-specific questionnaire, the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Burden of Disease (HSBOD) Tool. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using 19 patients who underwent surgery for HS. A demographic form and a 19-item disease-specific questionnaire were emailed to patients who consented to complete the survey. Patient-reported outcomes were recorded on a 0-100 scale (100 representing the highest burden of disease). Results Of the 24 patients that received the survey, 19 completed it in its entirety. The mean±SD Burden of Disease (BoD) score for each of the five domains assessed by the survey were: symptoms and feelings (62±27), daily activities (65±30), leisure (57±31), work and school (48±32), and personal relationships (56±27). Pearson’s correlation between the number of surgeries each patient underwent and their reported BoD scores were not significant. BoD scores were significantly higher in the symptoms and feelings domain for complex closure compared to both secondary intention and split-thickness skin grafting (STSG). Conclusion Despite having surgery, patients with hidradenitis still report impaired QoL. Further study is ongoing to determine how these measures compare to baseline preoperative values. This instrument provides a valuable tool to determine QoL in patients with hidradenitis.