Link Between Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Lupus: Investigating the Connection
In the realm of autoimmune diseases, two conditions that have recently caught the attention of researchers are Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and Lupus. While both conditions share some similarities, a well-established specific correlation or direct causal relationship between the two has yet to be found.
HS, a chronic skin condition, causes painful, fluid-filled lumps on the skin, often affecting areas in contact such as the armpits and groin area. On the other hand, Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout the body, leading to a wide range of symptoms including a butterfly-shaped rash, fatigue, joint pain, and skin discoloration.
Although both diseases show altered immune cell profiles and dysregulation of inflammatory markers, these immune aberrations are common across many autoimmune disorders and do not imply direct causality between HS and Lupus. For instance, autoantibodies like anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-double-stranded DNA, hallmark features of Lupus, are not widely implicated as causative in HS.
Studies of the blood microbiome suggest differences in microbial signatures in Lupus patients not mirrored in HS patients, indicating distinct systemic inflammatory triggers and pathogenesis. Clinical evidence places HS as a chronic auto-inflammatory skin disease primarily affecting follicular epithelium and apocrine glands, whereas Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease with broad multiorgan involvement and well-characterized autoantibodies.
A 2020 study suggests that almost 4.1% of people in the United States may have HS, and out of 4,303 people with HS, the prevalence ratio of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was 1.91, suggesting that SLE would be almost twice as likely to occur in people with HS than in those without. However, this observation does not establish a causal relationship between the two conditions.
While the exact link between HS and Lupus remains unclear, it is essential for individuals experiencing symptoms of either condition to consult a doctor. Treatment for HS and Lupus can help manage the symptoms and keep the conditions under control, preventing them from worsening.
References:
- Koo, B. W., & Kwon, H. J. (2018). Hidradenitis suppurativa and autoimmune diseases: Pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic implications. International Journal of Dermatology, 57(10), 1223-1231.
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (n.d.). Hidradenitis suppurativa. Retrieved August 16, 2021, from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/hidradenitis-suppurativa
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (n.d.). Lupus. Retrieved August 16, 2021, from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/lupus
- The study of autoimmune diseases, including Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and Lupus, falls under the realm of medical-conditions and health-and-wellness science.
- HS, an other autoimmune disorder, is characterized by painful lumps on the skin, particularly in areas that come into contact like the armpits and groin area, while Lupus is known for causing inflammation throughout the body leading to various symptoms.
- Although both HS and Lupus share altered immune cell profiles and inflammatory marker dysregulation, these immune aberrations are common across multiple autoimmune disorders, and a direct causal relationship between HS and Lupus has yet to be established.
- Furthermore, skin-care practices focused on caring for the affected skin areas are vital for individuals dealing with HS or Lupus, as managing the conditions through treatment can help prevent worsening of their symptoms.
