Hydrosadenitis suppurativa (HS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa), also called acne inversa or Verneuil’s disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by the appearance of subcutaneous nodules (cysts), single or multiple, recurrent and relapsing abscesses, and fistulas.
It is a high social impact disease, considered disabling in its more advanced stages as it limits work, social and relationship activities. In Italy it affects about 1% of the population, although patients are thought to be many more, especially people with the milder form.
HS can occur at any age; however, it commonly occurs after puberty, affecting subjects of both sexes, with a higher prevalence in women.
Gender differences are also found with respect to the location of the lesions: in men, involvement of the axillary, inguinal, and intergluteal regions is more common, while in women the disease affects the axillary, submammary, and genital regions.
