Relationship Disturbances in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Patient Perspective

Alyssa M Thompson; Jonathan W Rick; Devea R De; Jennifer M Fernandez; Melody Maarouf; Justine R Seivright; Jennifer L Hsiao; Vivian Y Shi

doi:10.1159/000525131

Relationship Disturbances in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Patient Perspective

Skin Appendage Disord. 2022 Nov;8(6):448-453. doi: 10.1159/000525131. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Authors

Alyssa M Thompson¹, Jonathan W Rick², Devea R De³, Jennifer M Fernandez⁴, Melody Maarouf⁵, Justine R Seivright⁶, Jennifer L Hsiao⁷, Vivian Y Shi²

Affiliations

¹ College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
² Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
³ Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
⁵ Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
⁶ David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
⁷ Department of Dermatology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Abstract

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can significantly impact patients' relationships.

Methods: Using an anonymous electronic survey, we aimed to determine what aspects of sexual relationships are affected by HS discomfort and patients' reluctance to discuss HS with their partner.

Results: Among the 873 participants, 60.9% reported that some aspect of their relationship was affected by HS discomfort, with the greatest being their sexual encounters with spouse (49.1%). Furthermore, 43.0% (320) of participants reported feeling reluctant to discuss HS with their spouse/significant other, with the more common reason being fear of partner seeing boils and scars (84.7%). Multiple aspects of relationships can be affected by HS such as sexual encounters, overall relationship, and finding a relationship. Additionally, several communication barriers are present, such as fear of partner seeing boils and scars, partner thinking they had an infection such as a sexually transmitted disease, and fear of bloody or malodorous drainage, among others. The presence of anogenital pain, Hurley stage, gender, and age significantly affect these findings.

Conclusion: Addressing HS-related relationship disturbances should be included in HS management.

Keywords: Hidradenitis suppurativa; Partner; Relationship; Sex; Sexual encounters; Spouse.