Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, chronic skin disease that affects an estimated 0.1-1% of people, often starting in adolescence or early adulthood. HS is marked by recurring nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts and scarring, which can severely impact quality of life.
At first glance, HS may appear to be a dermatological condition confined to the skin. Yet, its pathogenesis involves systemic inflammatory pathways, suggesting a broader clinical relevance beyond dermatology. Due to these shared immunopathogenic mechanisms, HS —like psoriasis (PsO) is classified under the umbrella of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), where coexisting indications are often observed. Research has shown associations between HS and conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and inflammatory arthritis. This IMID overlap, combined with delayed diagnosis (7-10 years on average for HS), fragmented care, and limited treatment options, highlights the urgent need to better document the true patient population to shape care accordingly.
Our current understanding of treatment pathways and the epidemiology of HS and PsO largely derives from clinical trials and registries. While valuable, these approaches usually focus on one condition at a time, managed by a single medical specialty. They rarely capture the full patient population, the frequent coexistence of IMIDs, or the complexity of the patient journey across dermatology, rheumatology and gastroenterology. across dermatology, rheumatology and gastroenterology.
Take PsO as an example: around 1 in 5 patients might develop psoriatic arthritis, and these patients have an increased risk of IBD. Yet in our own recent review of 97 real-world psoriasis studies published between 2021 and 2025, only 7 tracked psoriatic arthritis and just one mentioned IBD. For HS, the picture is similar: out of 149 retrospective studies, only 8% reported associated IMIDs.
Hence, understanding the full real-world healthcare and patient impact beyond their primary immunological condition is essential for optimal patient care, healthcare providers and policy makers.
This is where real-world data (RWD) becomes essential. By using information from routine care across multiple specialties, hospitals and countries, RWD can provide a much more integrated picture of IMIDs.
RWD makes it possible to:
At LOGEX, we believe that improving IMID care means moving beyond disease silos. That is why we created the IMID Observatory, a platform that integrates real-world evidence across conditions such as HS, PsO, IBD and spondyloarthritis.
By capturing and connecting data across specialties, the Observatory helps researchers and clinicians see the full picture: how these conditions overlap, how therapies perform in real life, and how care pathways can be optimised.
HS and PsO are strong reminders that some inflammatory dermatological conditions cannot be separated from the wider IMID field. Patients rarely experience immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease in isolation, underscoring the need for an evidence base that reflects this complexity. Real-world data, when used responsibly and at scale, is the key to bridging these gaps and supporting more effective, connected care.
👉 Want to learn more about the LOGEX IMID Observatory or explore how to get involved? Reach out to our Real-World Evidence Lead Femke Oldenziel, at femke.oldenziel@logex.com.