Patient journey and disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

We compared the patient journey of adult and pediatric patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and suspected HS and of patients with HS stratified by race, ethnicity, and social determinants of health. Data were from the United States Premier Healthcare Database (including hospital discharge and billing data from inpatient and outpatient encounters) and its linked medical and pharmacy claims database. After diagnosis, adult patients (n = 3065) with HS initiated biologics more quickly and were less likely to have all-cause hospitalizations or all-cause emergency department visits than adult patients with suspected HS (n = 27,280). Adult patients with HS also reported more disease-related outpatient visits (mean ± SD: 3.7 ± 4.9 vs 2.9 ± 4.7) and lower overall costs ($22,128 ± $61,671 vs $36,359 ± $82,762) after diagnosis. Significant differences were found in the patient journey across ethnic groups (adult patients) and social vulnerability index categories (adult and pediatric patients). Differences in the patient journey were evident, particularly between adult patients with HS and adult patients with suspected HS. Although a confirmed diagnosis of HS is beneficial, disparities were prevalent. Increased awareness of these differences may minimize diagnostic delays, facilitate disease management, and reduce costs.