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We discuss smoking as a possible cause of
HS
In 1999 a small survery was carried out and the results produced by
the Department of Dermatology, Philipp University, Marburg, Germany. This
study accessed the link between HS and smoking (as a trigger), with alarming
correlation.
“Out of 84 patients treated for hidradenitis suppurativa,
63 subjects (27 men, 36 women) completed the questionnaire. The rate of
active cigarette smokers was 88.9% (56 patients), whereas 4 subjects
(6.4%) had never smoked. 3 patients (4.8%) stated to be ex-smokers, but
2 of these had quit smoking only recently and after onset of the
disease.”[1]
The survey brings to the front some emotive issues, firstly that HS may
be triggered by the actions of the individual and consequently the individual is, to
some degree, responsible for the condition. Gross statements like this
need to be avoided. This study does not attribute the on set of HS to
smoking but simply outlines as one, of possibly many triggers. It does
not state that it, in itself is the cause, indeed the 4 subjects that
never smoked still developed the illness rather it states the causes of
HS in terms of genetics, and smoking as a “major triggering factor of
hidradenitis suppurativa” [1].
What the authours of the survey do however suggest is that smoking
cessation should be encouraged amongst suffers of HS, and indeed outside of HS there is an massive body of work that illustrates it damaging and fatal effects. Unfortunately the authours have
insufficient evidence to comment on the effect of tobacco smoking, and its consequent cessation, on
the course of the illness.
References
[1] Konig A, Lehmann C, Rompel R,Happle R., (1999), Cigarette
smoking as a triggering factor of hidradenitis suppurativa. Department
of Dermatology, Philipp University, Marburg, Germany. Available from http://tinyurl.com/2g8qkg [ Accessed 9 March 2006]
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