Hidradenitis suppurativa patients face severe diagnostic delays in Poland

Patients suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a severe inflammatory skin disease, face significant diagnostic delays and limited access to treatment in Poland. While an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 people in the country suffer from the condition, only about 400 patients currently receive effective biological treatment through specialized drug programs.

Data from the National Health Fund (NFZ) for 2025 shows only 3,200 patients with an HS diagnosis, suggesting that thousands of individuals remain undiagnosed. Delayed diagnosis is critical because once the disease reaches a destructive phase characterized by scarring and fistulas, even advanced treatments may not be able to reverse the damage.

HS is a chronic, progressive disease affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissue, often manifesting as painful abscesses in skin folds such as the armpits, groin, and under the breasts. Risk factors include smoking, obesity, metabolic syndrome, chronic stress, and genetic predisposition. Beyond physical pain and limited mobility, the condition causes significant psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, often exacerbated by social stigma and medical misinformation.