A recent multicenter cohort study explored the potential link between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and alopecia areata (AA), both of which are inflammatory conditions thought to share similar pathways and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Using the US Collaborative Network in the TriNetX Research Network, researchers identified patients with HS and compared them to a matched non-HS control group through 1:1 propensity score matching. The results revealed that patients with HS had a 1.79-fold increased risk of developing AA over a 15-year follow-up period, compared to controls. This elevated risk was also observed at 3-year and 8-year follow-up intervals, indicating a consistent trend. The increased risk was particularly significant among female patients with HS, who exhibited a 1.75-fold greater risk of AA than non-HS females. This association was not statistically significant in males.
These findings underscore the importance for clinicians to be mindful of the heightened long-term risk of AA among patients with HS, especially in female patients. As both HS and AA share underlying inflammatory mechanisms, the observed association points to a potential immunological interplay that warrants further investigation. The study highlights the need for future laboratory-based research to better understand the biological mechanisms connecting these two conditions. This research could ultimately inform more comprehensive management strategies for affected patients.
Reference: Gau SY, Chen CW, Wang YH, et al. Increased risk of incident alopecia areata among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: A multicenter cohort study in the United States. Biomed J. 2025 Jun;48(3):100837. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2025.100837. Epub 2025 Feb 20. PMID: 39986352; PMCID: PMC12166687.
