Adults with hidradenitis suppurativa are at increased risk of metabolic syndrome, according to a systematic review from Australian dermatologists.

The research team, led by Dr Kevin Phan from Liverpool Hospital in Sydney, drew on data from six international case-control studies, finding the risk was doubled compared with other patients with psoriasis or the general population.

They found a significant independent association between the chronic inflammatory skin disease and metabolic syndrome, even after adjustment for confounding factors.

“Given that metabolic syndrome patients are at risk of higher morbidity and mortality compared to the general population, clinicians treating hidradenitis suppurativa should be aware of this important association,” the authors wrote.