The prevalence and odds of anxiety and depression in children and adults with hidradenitis suppurativa: systematic review and meta-analyses.

Abstract Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Previous studies have yielded divergent results on the prevalence of depression and anxiety in HS patients. Objective The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a pooled estimate of the prevalence and odds of depression/anxiety in HS patients. Methods Search for and extraction of relevant literature without restrictions from five databases (Cochrane Database, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO, Science Direct) were performed. Pooled meta-analyses were made by using random-effects models. Results Meta-analyses of 28 studies of depression in HS and 12 of anxiety showed a prevalence of 21% of depression [17-25] and 12% of anxiety [6; 17] in HS patients, with very wide variations in both cases. Analysis of case-control studies showed an association between depression and HS (OR 1.99 [1.63; 2.43]) and between anxiety and HS (OR 1.97 [1.65; 2.35]). Limitations The results of this meta-analysis are conditioned by the limitations of the studies included and by differences in patient population, methodological approach and data available. Conclusion Patients with HS have a high burden of depression and anxiety. Our results show that clinicians need to be vigilant to the presence of depression or anxiety and to refer patients when appropriate.