The burden of ambulatory hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) visits is higher during the late spring and summer months (May to August), according to a research letter published online Sept. 12 in SKIN .

Terri Shih, from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, and colleagues examined the seasonal trends of ambulatory visits for patients with HS using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. A total of 2.33 million outpatient visits with a diagnosis of HS were identified between 2008 and 2018.

The researchers found that about 21, 51, and 28 percent of visits occurred during winter to early spring (January to April), late spring to summer (May to August), and autumn (September to December), respectively. Between these time periods, the number of visits differed significantly. In multivariate analyses, no significant differences were observed in visit number during these months based on gender, race, region, insurance status, or whether the provider was a dermatologist.

"Our findings can help dermatologists anticipate a higher burden of HS management during late spring and summer months to help ensure continued access to care and address potential season-related HS triggers such as hyperhidrosis early," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

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