HS Linked to Higher Self-Harm, Suicide Risk
Prior self-harm episodes and nonviolent methods are more common among HS patients who die by suicide, new research finds.
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By
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Olivia Anderson
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March 13, 2026
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Objective:
To investigate the association between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and rates of self-harm and suicide.
Approach:
Key Findings:
- 3.3% of HS patients experienced self-harm compared to 1.1% of controls.
- HS patients had a higher hazard of self-harm and suicide than controls.
- 0.2% of HS patients died by suicide compared to 0.1% of controls.
- 41.7% of HS patients who died by suicide had a history of prior self-harm.
Interpretation:
The study highlights a significant mental health burden associated with HS, emphasizing the need for clinician awareness in managing these patients.
Limitations:
- Absence of clinical measures of HS severity.
- Reliance on hospital-based HS diagnoses may not capture all cases.
Conclusion:
The findings underscore the importance of mental health considerations in patients with HS and the need for multidisciplinary care.
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