Epidemiological Trends in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Incidence: Insights into Sex, Race, and Age-Based Patterns over a Decade

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by recurrent nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and scarring, primarily affecting intertriginous areas. Despite its significant physical and psychosocial burden, HS remains underdiagnosed, and its temporal trends in incidence have not been comprehensively studied. This population-based study analyzed trends in HS incidence over a 10-year period (2014–2023) using the TriNetX electronic health record database, including individuals aged 0–84 years across the United States. Annual incidence rates were calculated and stratified by sex, race, and age group to identify temporal patterns and demographic disparities. Overall, HS incidence demonstrated a consistent upward trend, increasing from 0.047% in 2014 to 0.109% in 2023, despite annual fluctuations. The incidence was persistently higher in females compared to males, with females exhibiting rates up to 2.5 times greater throughout the study period. Racial disparities were evident, as African Americans experienced significantly higher incidence rates than Caucasians and Asians. Age-based analysis revealed the highest incidence among adolescents and young adults aged 10–34 years, with a sharp increase in the 10–14 years group post-2020, while rates remained low in older adults and children under 10 years. These findings highlight a rising burden of HS, particularly among females, African Americans, and younger populations. The study underscores the need for increased awareness, earlier diagnosis, and targeted interventions to address healthcare disparities and improve outcomes in high-risk groups. Continued research into the biological and systemic factors driving these trends is essential.