Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Smoking, Obesity, Psoriasis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Systemic Sclerosis

Is there an effect of body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and/or smoking on the risk of developing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)?This mendelian randomization study including 3 592 596 patients found an effect of BMI on HS risk. Although initially a similar risk of smoking on HS was found, sensitivity analyses revealed inconclusive results potentially due to lack of power.The findings of this study support a causal effect of increased BMI on the risk of developing HS; this information may help physicians better inform patients about disease risk contributed by modifiable lifestyle behaviors, knowledge that can be beneficial for planning subsequent lifestyle interventions.

Corresponding Author: Rune Kjærsgaard Andersen, MD, PhD, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Gentofte, Denmark (rune.kjaersgaard.andersen@regionh.dk).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.