Rates of psychosocial screening as well as counseling of helpful lifestyle modifications are low among hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) patients, according to a study published in Skin Appendage Disorders.
“Although hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with psychosocial comorbidities such as depression as well as modifiable comorbidities such as obesity, rates of psychosocial screening and lifestyle counseling in the USA have not been characterized,” the researchers said.
In this cross-sectional analysis, researchers used public data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) between 2008 and 2018 to identify individuals diagnosed with HS. They utilized T tests and multivariate logistic regressions to analyze data trends while controlling for such factors as race, sex, and age.
The results showed that depression screening was completed in just 2% of reported visits. Moreover, the researchers observed low rates of counseling for weight reduction (7.8%), diet and nutrition (3.3%), exercise (2.4%), smoking (1.0%), and substance abuse (0.7%). Notably, the study found that Black patients and individuals with public health insurance received less screening and counseling.
“Rates of psychosocial screening and counseling on lifestyle modifications are low in ambulatory clinic visits for HS patients, and there are disparities based on race and insurance status,” the researchers concluded. “Implementing strategies to incorporate routine psychosocial screening and lifestyle counseling into visits may improve HS patient outcomes.”
