In Italy at least 11.4 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants are estimated, but the territorial fragmentation and the absence of shared protocols hinder early diagnoses
There is one skin disease which, while hitting thousands of people, still remains little known and underestimated: it is thesuppurative hydrosadenitis (HS), a chronic inflammatory pathology that seriously compromises the quality of life of those who suffer from it. The available data tell us that this pathology affects about 1% of the population, with a greater prevalence in women between 20 and 40 years old. The real number, however it could be much higher due to the sub-diagnosis and the scarcity of epidemiological data. In Italy they estimate At least 11.4 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants.
What is suppurative hydrosadenitis
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Also known as reverse acnesuppurative hydrosadenitis manifests itself with the appearance under the skin of Nodules, often painful abscesses and fistulas In the areas of the body richest in apocrine glands, from the armpits to the perianal area and the groin, going to impact substantially on the daily life of those who are hit.
Despite its painful, relapse and disabling nature, The suppurative hydrosadenitis is not yet fully recognized at an institutional level In Italy and the demonstration of this comes from the fact that only advanced stadium patients can access the essential levels of assistance (Lea), while The pathology has not yet been included in the National Chronicity Plan (PNC). This means that many patients are not entitled to exemptions, recognition of the validity or specific work protections. Precisely for this reason the patient association Passion Peoplewith the non -conditioning support of UCB Pharmalaunched a appeal so that this lack is filled as soon as possible.
Suppurative hydrosadenitis, recognized protections
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The path is not very easy. Advination hydrosadenitis is an invisible disease only in the eyes of those who do not know it. Its consequences are heavy in all aspects of the life of those who suffer from iteven on a working and economic level: estimates say that over 60% of patients have difficulty maintaining their employment, while about 40% are forced to reduce or interrupt the professional path.
Enter the suppurative hydrosadenitis in the national chronicity plan, Updated in 2024say the experts, will serve to give full dignity to those who live with a disease that, while not putting life directly at risk, compromises it deeply day after day. The recent inclusion of HS in the Lea for the third stadium represents an important first step, but insufficient according to experts: We need a complete recognition of the disease in all its clinical forms.
Experts agree in affirming that We need a multidisciplinary taking chargewith dermatologists, psychologists, surgeons and basic doctors who work in synergy. Today, however, the territorial fragmentation and the absence of shared protocols hinder early diagnoses and timely treatments. “The suppurative hydrosadenitis presents important challenges along the entire care path: Late diagnosis, difficulty in accessing therapies and need for a multidisciplinary detention. We need a more uniform and centered organization on the patient, to guarantee continuity of care, timeliness and real integration between specialists, “he said Alessandro Giunta of the Dermatology of the Polyclinic Tor Vergata Hospital of Rome.
As he pointed out Damiano Abeniepidemiologist of the Dermopathic Institute of the Immaculate Conception, access to care and exemptions must also be guaranteed in initial cases, for encourage early diagnosis and prevent the aggravation of the pathology and its greatest impact in the daily life of thousands of people in Italy.
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