PS05 A qualitative assessment of the impact of hidradenitis suppurativa on sexual function

Abstract Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with significant physical and psychosocial morbidity. There are limited data in the literature on impact of condition patients’ psychological, emotional sexual functioning wellbeing. A patient survey was collaboratively designed by dermatologists a clinical psychologist to assess function HS. This adapted from existing published scales assessing components functioning, as there no validated tool for use Nineteen patients (10 men nine women) HS were surveyed. They had mean age 41 years Hurley stage 2.2. Twenty-six per cent (n = 5) current smokers. The body mass index participants 28 kg m−2. Seventy-nine 15) relationship. Seventy-four 14) felt that affected their relationships negatively 50% 8/16) documented prevented them starting new Eighty-four 16) reported caused avoid intimacy. Sixty-three 12) suffered degree dyspareunia 63% described odour lesions impacted activity. Confidence regard closeness partners during sex variable, 31% reporting low confidence; 58% 11) confidence when engaging Fifty 9/18) sad considering life 88% 14/16) ashamed stressed being naked or intimate. Ninety-four 17/18) unattractiveness due HS, 44% 8/18) rating it ‘extremely’ ‘very much’. Eighty-nine 16/18) quality lives, 33% 6) Sexual an important, often overlooked component life. dysfunction particular concern location nature lesions, which close affect erogenous zones (Varney P, Guo W, Brown M et al. systematic review meta-analysis hidradenitis suppurativa. Int J Dermatol 2022; 85:AB23). study demonstrates has psychosexual, Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy model useful, structured framework clinicians incorporate discussion management into consultations, should work local biomedical services address any identified