Inflammatory Bowel Disease More Common in HS Patients

Individuals with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are at a significantly higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although the prevalence of IBD remains low, according to a recent study.

Previous research has suggested that IBD was associated with increased prevalence of HS, but data on the rates of IBD in patients with HS is limited.
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To further investigate, researchers conducted a study of Danish individuals aged 18 years and older, using data from nationwide registers. Overall, 7732 patients with HS and 4,354,137 individuals from the general population were included in the analysis.

The prevalence (HS vs the general population) or Crohn disease was 0.8% and 0.3% and the prevalence of ulcerative colitis was 1.3% and 0.7%.

The risk of new-onset Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis was significantly increased among individuals with HS.

“In conclusion, HS was significantly associated with presence and risk of new-onset IBD, although the prevalence remained low. Gastrointestinal complaints in patients with HS should warrant further clinical examination,” the researchers wrote.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Egeberg A, Jemec GBE, Kimball AB, et al. Prevalence and risk of inflammatory bowel disease in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa [published online January 12, 2017]. J. Invest. Dermatol. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2016.11.040.