TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of hidradenitis suppurativa among young adults in Singapore
AU - Ng, Matthew Song Peng
AU - Lim, Joel Guanyi
AU - Koh, John Ming Yan
AU - Lee, Sz-Ying
AU - Seah, Claire Hui Xian
AU - Chang, Samuel Jun Yi
AU - Tan, Joshua Teik Ann
AU - Tan, Vanessa Wei Shen
AU - Kumar, Dhana Senthil
AU - Choi, Ellie Ci-En
AU - Jemec, Gregor
AU - Frew, John
AU - Seow, Wei Jie
AU - Chandran, Nisha Suyien
N1 - © 2023 by the American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is 0.00033% to 4.10% globally. Few epidemiological studies derive from Asia, with social stigmatization postulated to result in under-diagnosis.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the self-reported prevalence of HS, and the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards HS among Singaporean young-adults.METHODS: A cross-sectional study (n = 158) was conducted by anonymous online questionnaire. The association between demographic factors and risk of potentially undiagnosed HS was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Differences between attitude-perception scores by demographic factors and knowledge of HS were tested using two-sample t-tests.RESULTS: The prevalence of diagnosed and potentially undiagnosed HS was 0.63% and 8.9%, respectively. Non-Chinese had significantly higher social attitude-perception scores than Chinese (P = .029). Females had significantly higher social (P = .048) as well as economic and work (P = .037) attitude-perception scores than males. Those with knowledge of HS had significantly higher attitude-perception scores for interpersonal (P = .031) and social (P = .0052) subsections.LIMITATIONS: Small sample size, low frequency of HS cases, and self-reported prevalence may not generalize to the broader population in Singapore.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a potential underdiagnosis of HS. Non-Chinese stigmatize HS less than Chinese, and females less than males. Individuals with knowledge of HS might be more open to interpersonal and social interactions with HS sufferers.
AB - BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is 0.00033% to 4.10% globally. Few epidemiological studies derive from Asia, with social stigmatization postulated to result in under-diagnosis.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the self-reported prevalence of HS, and the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards HS among Singaporean young-adults.METHODS: A cross-sectional study (n = 158) was conducted by anonymous online questionnaire. The association between demographic factors and risk of potentially undiagnosed HS was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Differences between attitude-perception scores by demographic factors and knowledge of HS were tested using two-sample t-tests.RESULTS: The prevalence of diagnosed and potentially undiagnosed HS was 0.63% and 8.9%, respectively. Non-Chinese had significantly higher social attitude-perception scores than Chinese (P = .029). Females had significantly higher social (P = .048) as well as economic and work (P = .037) attitude-perception scores than males. Those with knowledge of HS had significantly higher attitude-perception scores for interpersonal (P = .031) and social (P = .0052) subsections.LIMITATIONS: Small sample size, low frequency of HS cases, and self-reported prevalence may not generalize to the broader population in Singapore.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a potential underdiagnosis of HS. Non-Chinese stigmatize HS less than Chinese, and females less than males. Individuals with knowledge of HS might be more open to interpersonal and social interactions with HS sufferers.
U2 - 10.1016/j.jdin.2023.03.010
DO - 10.1016/j.jdin.2023.03.010
M3 - Article
C2 - 37274383
SN - 2666-3287
VL - 12
SP - 72
EP - 80
JO - JAAD International
JF - JAAD International
ER -