Exploring patient perspectives on the relationship between hidradenitis suppurativa and body weight

We conducted a questionnaire study of 40 patients attending the hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) clinic at our centre to explore patient perspectives on the relationship between HS and body weight. The most common obstacles to maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise were time, cost and physical limitations related to HS. We identified a need for improved diagnosis of overweight/obesity, as well as an opportunity to improve patient education on the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight in HS, if clinician advice on weight management is to align with patients’ understanding of the condition.