HS Linked to Higher Self-Harm, Suicide Risk
Overview
A population-based study indicates that hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with increased rates of self-harm and suicide compared to the general population. The findings underscore the need for heightened clinician awareness regarding mental health risks in patients with HS.
Background
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Understanding the mental health implications of HS is crucial, as individuals with this condition may experience elevated risks of self-harm and suicide. This study highlights the importance of integrating mental health assessments into the care of patients with HS.
Data Highlights
| Outcome | HS Patients (%) | Controls (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Self-harm | 3.3 | 1.1 |
| Suicide | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Prior self-harm among suicide decedents | 41.7 | 14.8 |
Key Findings
- 3.3% of HS patients experienced self-harm compared to 1.1% of controls.
- 0.2% of HS patients died by suicide, versus 0.1% in the control group.
- HS patients had a higher hazard of self-harm and suicide in adjusted analyses.
- 41.7% of HS patients who died by suicide had a history of prior self-harm.
- HS patients were more likely to use nonviolent methods for self-harm compared to controls.
Clinical Implications
Clinicians should be vigilant in assessing mental health in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, given the elevated risks of self-harm and suicide. Routine screening for mood disorders and suicidality is recommended to facilitate early intervention and support.
Conclusion
The study highlights a significant mental health burden associated with hidradenitis suppurativa, emphasizing the need for integrated care approaches that address both dermatological and psychological aspects of patient health.
References
- Amit Garg, MD, PhD, JAMA Dermatology, 2026 -- Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Risk of Self-Harm and Suicide
- Comorbidity screening in hidradenitis suppurativa: Evidence-based recommendations from the US and Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundations, ScienceDirect, 2021
- New-onset psychiatric diagnoses, including suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, are more common among hidradenitis suppurativa patients, PubMed, 2023
- BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Altered cortical structure and networks associated with psychosocial adversity and pain hyposensitivity in adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury
- BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Psychosocial interventions for self-harm and suicide prevention in liaison psychiatry: an overview of systematic reviews
- BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Sleep characteristics and non-suicidal self-injury: unveiling the association in depressed adolescents
- BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Associations between peripheral plasma cytokine levels and patterns of non-suicidal self-injury methods among Chinese outpatient adolescents: a latent class analysis
- Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Risk of Self-Harm and Suicide | Dermatology | JAMA Dermatology | JAMA Network
- Comorbidity screening in hidradenitis suppurativa: Evidence-based recommendations from the US and Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundations - ScienceDirect
- New-onset psychiatric diagnoses, including suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, are more common among hidradenitis suppurativa patients compared to the general population: A propensity score-matched retrospective cohort-study of 43,707 patients utilizing the TriNetX research network - PubMed
- UCB Receives U.S. FDA Approval for BIMZELX® (bimekizumab-bkzx) as the First IL-17A and IL-17F Inhibitor for Adults with Moderate-to-Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.
