The Prevalence of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Malta. A Comparison with Established Epidemiological Data.

: Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Patients with HS present with multiple, recurrent inflammatory nodules, abscess and sinus tracts in intertriginous skin - often after a diagnostic delay (1). Data suggests that the prevalence of HS varies between 0.14 and 4% globally (Table 1). Malta is small Mediterranean country with an estimated population of 493,559 inhabitants (2) . The country is in a unique position where all dermatology referrals made in the national health care system are received and pooled by a single dermatology center (Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, SPBH) and distributed equally between dermatologists without bias. Follow up care is also carried out at SPBH.