Dr. Wang’s project looked at emergency department (ED) utilization in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Data was used from the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid Databases to examine a population of over 20,000 individuals with HS who visited the emergency department for the disease and the factors associated with ED return and dermatology follow-up. Amongst other findings, importantly, patients with Medicaid insurance and who had an opioid prescribed at index ED visit were found to be more likely to return to the ED for treatment of their disease and, conversely, less likely to have dermatology follow-up.
This study highlights an important gap in care for individuals with HS and presents an opportunity for interventions to better connect these patients to longitudinal care.
Dr. Wang will be presenting her research findings at the American Dermatological Association in Quebec City, Canada on October 27, 2022.
Congratulations, Cynthia!