Fatigue is associated with disease severity in adult patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Background: Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) experience fatigue,
but no studies have yet examined the association between HS severity and
fatigue intensity.
Objectives: To examine the possible association between HS severity and
fatigue and identify fatigue subtypes present in patients with HS.
Methods: Adult patients with HS participated in a survey assessing fatigue
using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory‐20. Disease severity was
determined by self‐report.
Results: Data from 654 adult patients with HS were analysed and compared with
3,788 reference individuals from the general population. Total and subtype fatigue
scores for patients with HS were significantly higher compared with the general
population reference individuals and increased with higher HS severity, itch,
pain, sleep, dermatology life quality index scores and lower socioeconomic status.
The association between HS severity and increased fatigue scores remained
statistically significant after adjustment for age, sex, and socioeconomic status.
Conclusions: Patients with HS had a significantly higher fatigue score compared
with the general population reference individuals in a severity‐dependent manner.
A higher awareness of fatigue as a symptom in patients with HS is warranted.