Overview of care for hidradenitis suppurativa in the unified health system: a national epidemiological approach

This retrospective epidemiological study analyzed 106,172 outpatient visits related to Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) in Brazil between 2020 and 2024, using data from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) to investigate demographic and geographical disparities. Women accounted for 59% of the cases, with the highest frequency between 21 and 30 years of age. A predominance of white (43%) and “pardo” (mixed-race) (35%) patients was observed, contrasting with the predominantly “pardo” composition of the Brazilian population according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Black and indigenous patients corresponded, respectively, to 6% and 0.008% of the records. Geospatial analysis identified higher visit rates (> 10/100,000 inhabitants) in Ceara, Rio Grande do Norte, Distrito Federal, and Paraná, while states in the North Region showed underreporting (Rondonia: <1/100,000). The number of consultations increased by 857% over the period, which may reflect both improvements in disease recognition and registration as well as a growing demand for specialized care. Despite this progress, we observed regional inequalities in access to healthcare, requiring targeted public policies, greater investment, infrastructure strengthening, training of professionals, and integration of care networks, especially in the North Region and rural areas, to guarantee the universal right to health and promote greater equity in care for HS patients in Brazil.