With the radical changes in lifestyle and the pain HS inevitably brings it is understandable many of it’s suffers also suffer from depression. In this article we make a case of the treatment of depression in conjunction with Hidradenitis Suppurativa where it is present, and comment on potential combinative effects.

Depression many result in many negative habits, such as smoking, excessive drinking and reduced exercise. With at least one of these having an impact on HS (1) It is important to consider the combinative effect these illnesses, in conjunction, may have.

In addition to the negative influences depression may bring it is also conceivable that a healthily mind may improve the disease. For example, with other illnesses, patients with depression after myocardial infarction or stroke are more likely to die (2), and depressed, diabetic patients have worse glycemic control (3) and higher rates of diabetic complications (4). Whilst there is no evidence to suggest the treatment of depression will elevate the symptoms of the illness it is logical that depression will not help Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

“Researchers are only just beginning to penetrate the labyrinth of the interactive relationships between depression and comorbid illness [The presence of further disorder in addition to a primary one]. Future research may uncover interactive mind–body relationships that will spawn radical new approaches to the practice of medicine. Until that time, providers should continue to look for and treat depression in their patients.” (5)

In short the effect of depression in suffers for Hidradenitis Suppurativa must be taken seriously and given research in other areas, whilst an assumption, the treatment of depression could have real benefits for the HS sufferer.

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]
2. Ramasubbu R, Patten SB. Effect of depression on stroke morbidity and mortality. Can J Psychiatry. 2003;48:250-7. [PMID: 12776392]
3. Lustman PJ, Anderson RJ, Freedland KE, de Groot M, Carney RM, Clouse RE. Depression and poor glycemic control: a meta-analytic review of the literature. Diabetes Care. 2000;23:934-42. [PMID: 10895843]
4. de Groot M, Anderson R, Freedland KE, Clouse RE, Lustman PJ. Association of depression and diabetes complications: a meta-analysis. Psychosom Med. 2001;63:619-30. [PMID: 11485116]
5. Jackson, L., J., DeZee, K., Berbano, E., (2004) Can Treating Depression Imporve Disease Outcomes? Annals of Internal Medicine 15 June 2004, Volume 140 Number 12

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