Analysis: Global Prevalence of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Higher Than Previously Estimated

Key Takeaways

• Current global prevalence of HS is estimated at 0.99%, which is higher than previous numbers, new research indicates.

• Female sex was the only demographic variable significantly associated with prevalence, according to the analysis.

• No consistent associations were found with BMI, smoking, GDP, or HDI.

The estimate of the global prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) sits at 0.99%, which notably higher than prior global figures, according to a new analysis.

The research team compiled data from 25 population-based studies (including data from 22,743 participants [median 34.5 years of age; 55.6% female]). Of these, 247 were confirmed to have HS via clinical examination following questionnaire screening. Despite significant heterogeneity (τ² = 0.747), the researchers found a pooled point prevalence of 0.99% (95% CI, 0.67% to 1.46%) using a random-effects model.

Female participants were more likely to have HS (β = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.03), making sex the only demographic variable associated with HS prevalence. Researchers reported no consistent prevalence differences by BMI, smoking status, gross domestic product (GDP), or Human Development Index (HDI).

“These findings suggest that HS may be more common than previously thought and emphasize the need for further study into genetic and environmental risk factors that may account for global variability in prevalence,” they wrote. “Substantial global variations in HS prevalence were also observed. Female sex was the only factor associated with prevalence in this sample. Future studies assessing genetic, environmental, and etiological factors are warranted to explain the heterogeneity in prevalence.”

Source: Doi A, Smith B, et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.2373