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San Francisco, May 15, 2025 – A new study published in JAMA Dermatology reveals a significant link between neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) and the likelihood of being newly diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic skin condition. The research, led by Dr. Aileen Y. Chang from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, highlights how social and economic factors at the neighborhood level may influence health outcomes in dermatology.
Key Findings
The cross-sectional study analyzed data from 65,766 patients seen at UCSF dermatology clinics between August 2019 and May 2024. Researchers categorized patients’ neighborhoods into five socioeconomic quintiles, ranging from the lowest (quintile 1) to the highest (quintile 5) based on census tract data from the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Prevalence: 0.7% of patients received a new diagnosis of HS during the study period.
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Risk by Socioeconomic Status: After adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, patients living in lower-SES neighborhoods had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with HS. Specifically, those in the lowest SES quintile were over three times more likely to be diagnosed compared to those in the highest SES quintile (odds ratio: 3.32).
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Racial and Ethnic Analysis: While the trend of higher HS diagnoses in lower-SES neighborhoods was observed across racial and ethnic groups, the pattern did not reach statistical significance in all groups.
Implications
The findings suggest that factors associated with neighborhood socioeconomic status-such as access to healthcare, environmental stressors, and community resources-may play a role in the development or detection of hidradenitis suppurativa. The authors note, “This finding supports the hypothesis that neighborhood-level factors may influence the development of HS.”
About Hidradenitis Suppurativa
HS is a painful, chronic skin disease characterized by inflamed nodules, abscesses, and scarring, often occurring in areas where skin rubs together. The condition can significantly impact quality of life and is frequently underdiagnosed.
Next Steps
The study’s authors call for further research to better understand the mechanisms linking socioeconomic status and HS, and to develop targeted interventions that address health disparities in dermatological care.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on a peer-reviewed study published in JAMA Dermatology and summarized from a news release on Medical Xpress. The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For diagnosis or treatment of any health condition, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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