Inflammatory conditions of skin, bowel may be linked

(HealthDay)—There appears to be a link between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a review published in the February issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.

Kevin Phan, M.D., from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, and colleagues conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies evaluating the association between HS and IBD.

Based on six included studies, the researchers observed a significant association between HS and IBD. When data were pooled in a meta-analysis, the adjusted effect sizes showed an odds ratio of 2.12. There was a significant association between HS and both Crohn disease (odds ratio, 2.25) and ulcerative colitis (odds ratio, 1.56).

"Our results highlight that all patients with HS should be clinically screened for symptoms of IBD and symptomatic patients referred for further investigations," the authors write. "It should also be noted that cutaneous Crohn's disease and inguinal/perineal HS have a clinical overlap, and this needs to be considered in any patient with severe perineal HS."

Copyright © 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.