<s>[INST] <<SYS>> This is a medical question of type : frequency <</SYS>> How many people are affected by hidradenitis suppurativa ? [/INST] Hidradenitis suppurativa was once thought to be a rare condition because only the most severe cases were reported. However, recent studies have shown that the condition affects at least 1 in 100 people when milder cases are also considered. For reasons that are unclear, women are about twice as likely as men to develop the condition. </s>