Obesity in Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Scoping Review

Pediatr Dermatol. 2024 Sep 12. doi: 10.1111/pde.15746. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

The relationship between HS and obesity, while well established in adult patients, has drawn increased attention in pediatric patients given the rising prevalence of pediatric obesity worldwide. This review aims to consolidate existing evidence of the relationship between HS and obesity in the pediatric population and to hypothesize about reasons for an association between the two conditions. Our cohort comprised 2911 patients with a mean age of 11.4 years at the age of onset of HS, and based on body mass index (BMI), 42.3% of patients were classified as obese (BMI > 30), and 14% were overweight (BMI 25-29.9). Our findings indicate an association between obesity and HS in pediatric patients, which may be explained through numerous mechanisms, including shared genetic factors, hereditary relationships, and the impact of HS on adolescents' quality of life.

Keywords: acne inversa; hidradenitis suppurativa; inflammation; obesity; weight.