# Clinical and laboratory characteristics of hidradenitis suppurativa in a Chinese cohort: a retrospective analysis of 197 cases

## TL;DR

This study examines the clinical and lab features of hidradenitis suppurativa in 197 Chinese patients, finding a strong male predominance and links between certain blood markers and disease severity.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into HS characteristics and severity risk factors specific to a Chinese population.

## Key findings

- 87.8% of HS patients in the cohort were male with a male-to-female ratio of 7.2:1.
- Total protein (TP) was an independent risk factor for progression to Hurley stage III.
- A multivariable model integrating predictors achieved moderate discrimination for advanced disease severity (AUC of 0.689).

## Abstract

The clinical and laboratory characteristics of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), particularly indicators related to disease severity, remain inadequately explored in Asian populations.

To characterize the clinical and laboratory features of HS in Chinese patients and to identify risk factors for disease severity.

We retrospectively analyzed 197 patients with HS in China. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Disease severity was graded using the Hurley staging system. Comprehensive statistical analyses were conducted.

Among 197 patients, 87.8% were male (male-to-female ratio 7.2:1). Females had a shorter diagnostic delay than males (p = 0.011). Obesity was present in 33.0% of HS patients. Metabolic abnormalities included reduced HDL-c (30.0%), elevated blood glucose (29.1%), increased TG (14.93%), TC (10.31%), and LDL-c (8.96%). Neutrophil-related indices (WBC, ANC, NEUT%) and liver function markers (TP, albumin, ALT, AST, TB) were significantly associated with progression to Hurley stage III. ROC analysis showed modest discrimination for these indicators (AUCs, 0.605–0.652). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, TP remained an independent risk factor for progression to Hurley stage III (OR, 1.240; 95% CI, 1.101–1.397; p = 0.010). A multivariable logistic regression model that integrated significant predictors achieved an AUC of 0.689. This indicated moderate discrimination for advanced disease severity.

Chinese patients with HS exhibited a pronounced male predominance and relatively mild metabolic abnormalities. Neutrophil-related indices and TP, especially when TP was interpreted together with albumin, were associated with progression to Hurley stage III.