Hidradenitis suppurativa

Efficacy of laser hair removal in hidradenitis suppurativa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by painful nodules, draining tunnels, and fibrotic scarring in intertriginous, hair-bearing areas. The pathogenesis involves follicular occlusion and subsequent rupture, leading to uncontrolled inflammation. Treatment options for HS are limited and lack universal effectiveness. Laser hair removal (LHR) has been explored as a potential treatment; however, the efficacy and appropriate laser modalities remain unclear. This systematic review examined the efficacy and adverse effects of LHR in HS.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from inception to September 2023 in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and The Cochrane Library (Wiley) with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a meta-analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Ten studies were selected (n = 227 total patients) and included six randomized controlled trials, two nonrandomized experimental studies, and two case series. Various laser modalities, including long-pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) (n = 115), intense pulsed light (n = 18), Alexandrite (n = 54), intralesional 1064 nm diode (n = 20), and combined fractional CO2 and long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser (n = 20), consistently demonstrated significant improvement in HS disease severity, irrespective of the disease scoring method used. Minimal adverse effects (primarily mild pain and erythema) were reported. A meta-analysis of three studies utilizing long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser demonstrated a standardized mean difference in disease severity of -1.68 (95% confidence interval: -2.99; -0.37), favoring treatment with LHR for HS.

CONCLUSIONS

Hair follicles are key in HS pathogenesis and all included studies showed a significant improvement in HS disease severity after LHR regardless of the laser device used, likely related to hair follicle unit destruction. HS is a complex and heterogenous condition, and multiple disease scoring methods complicate outcome comparisons across studies. However, LHR, utilizing various techniques, is an effective treatment option for HS with minimal adverse effects.

Demographic and Clinical Features and Factors Affecting the Quality of Life of Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with well-known adverse effects on quality of life (QoL). Improving patients' QoL has become an important objective of treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics and factors affecting the QoL of patients with HS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred seventy-six patients with HS aged between 18 and 65 years were included in the study. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, treatments, and comorbidities were recorded. The disease stage was determined based on the Hurley staging system. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to evaluate QoL.

RESULTS

Mean DLQI scores were significantly higher in patients with advanced Hurley stages, lesions in the gluteal region and legs, and with more than 2 affected areas ( p < .001). Correlations between patient-reported treatment outcomes and clinical characteristics of the patients were assessed. Findings of this study indicate the existence of a potential "window of opportunity" for laser epilation and wide local surgical excision, similar to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.

CONCLUSION

Timely and appropriate treatment can only be provided for patients with HS by evaluating objective disease severity measures and subjective patient data in combination.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of bimekizumab for hidradenitis suppurativa: An ambispective observational study

In this original research, we present the results in terms of effectiveness and safety of bimekizumab for hidradenitis suppurativa in real clinical practice. Results indicated significant improvement in all activity scores and patient-reported outcomes at week 16, including a notable decrease in mean IHS4 from 27.1 to 15.6 (p < 0.001), HS-PGA from 5.1 to 3.2 (p < 0.001), VAS pain from 8.3 to 4.7 (p < 0.001) and DLQI from 21.6 to 12.6 (p < 0.001). Bimekizumab, administered every 2 or 4 weeks, was well-tolerated with no discontinuations and no new safety concerns identified. These findings corroborate the drug's effectiveness and favourable safety profile observed in phase 3 clinical trials, supporting its use in real-world clinical practice for treating HS.

The Impact of Atopic Dermatitis on Sexual Function and Reproductive Desires in Women

Atopic dermatitis is a prevalent skin condition that affects up to 17% of adult population. It can lead to itching, pain, and other symptoms such as sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression. Due to its high prevalence and limiting symptoms, atopic dermatitis often has a great impact on patients' quality of life but there is scarce information regarding how atopic dermatitis affects women's sexual health and reproductive desires. The purpose of this article was to assess the impact of atopic dermatitis on sexual function and reproductive wishes in women. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2022. A total of 102 women with atopic dermatitis were recruited through online questionnaires sent through the Spanish Atopic Dermatitis Association; 68.6% of the patients acknowledged impairment in sexual function, especially those with more severe disease and those with genital and gluteal involvement. In addition, 51% of the women considered that atopic dermatitis may have an influence on their gestational desire, particularly those with gluteal involvement. In conclusion, atopic dermatitis has a great impact on sexual function and reproductive desires in women.

Corneal Manifestations in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa

PURPOSE

To report two cases of bilateral blepharokeratoconjunctivitis associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).

METHODS

Case report and literature review. The clinical courses of two patients with HS, including ocular presentation and medical management, are described.

RESULTS

Two female patients aged 18 and 23-years-old with severe HS presented with bilateral blepharokeratoconjunctivitis. Shared slit lamp findings included bilateral corneal neovascularization and inferior corneal thinning. Systemic immunosuppression was needed in the first case, which resulted in improvement in the patient's ophthalmic and dermatological findings.

CONCLUSION

We report two cases of bilateral blepharokeratoconjunctivitis in two patients with severe HS. To our knowledge, this association has not previously been described in the literature. Clinicians should be aware of this association given its potentially visually devastating manifestations and the need for early therapeutic interventions.

Role of Color Doppler Ultrasound in Cutaneous Inflammatory Conditions

Inflammatory cutaneous diseases can be challenging to diagnose and manage. Nowadays, the anatomical information provided by ultrasound is critical for detecting subclinical alterations and assessing the severity and activity of these conditions. Many of these entities can be clinically observed in dermatology and other specialties, such as rheumatology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and otolaryngology, among others. We review the ultrasonographic patterns of the most common inflammatory cutaneous conditions. In several cases, such as hidradenitis suppurativa, acne, and morphea, there are ultrasonographic staging systems of severity or activity that are pivotal in the management of these diseases. The early ultrasonographic diagnosis of these entities implies a proper management of the patients and, therefore, improve their quality of life. Thus, knowledge of the current use of ultrasound in this field seems essential.

Diagnoseverzögerung bei Hidradenitis suppurativa untersucht mit Daten von sozialen Medien und gesetzlichen Krankenversicherungen

Hintergrund

Die chronisch‐entzündliche Hauterkrankung Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) führt bei Betroffenen zu ausgeprägten Schmerzen und verminderter Lebensqualität. Trotzdem vergehen oft mehrere Jahre bis zur korrekten Diagnosestellung. In dieser Analyse sollten krankheitsbedingte Erfahrungen und Wege der Patienten mit HS untersucht und der ärztlichen Sicht gegenübergestellt werden.

Patienten und Methodik

Für die Studie wurden Ergebnisse einer Befragung von Dermatologen und deren Patienten zur Versorgungsrealität bei HS in Deutschland sowie öffentliche Beiträge auf Internet‐Foren und in sozialen Medien analysiert. Zusätzlich wurden Abrechnungsdaten deutscher Krankenkassen ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Patienten mit HS haben eine um 43,3% reduzierte Arbeitsfähigkeit. Die Dermatologie (26,5%) war der am häufigsten konsultierte Fachbereich, die Diagnose HS wurde dabei überwiegend im stationären Bereich (43,8%) gestellt. Als häufigste alternative Diagnose bei HS‐Patienten wurden Abszesse angegeben (53,2%). Die Analyse von Wechseln zu anderen Behandlern ergab, dass diese in der Dermatologie (34,1%) und der Chirurgie (42,4%) vorwiegend innerhalb des Fachbereiches erfolgen. Überweisungen erhielt die Dermatologie mehrheitlich aus dem hausärztlichen Bereich (67,1%) allerdings nur 12,1% von Chirurgen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Diagnoseverzögerung und die dadurch verlängerte Krankheitsbelastung von Patienten mit HS muss dringend reduziert werden. Dazu sollte, möglichst schon als Teil des Medizinstudiums, ein über die Dermatologie hinaus reichendes Bewusstsein für die Erkrankung, ihre Erkennung und Behandlung gefördert werden.

Genetic factors associated with hidradenitis suppurativa, a literature review

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by deep-seated, painful lesions most frequently occurring in intertriginous areas of the skin. HS leads to poor quality of life in affected individuals and is difficult to diagnose and treat.

Objective

Understanding the genetics associated with familial inheritance may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this debilitating disease.

Methods

Articles published until March 9, 2023, were identified in PubMed using the following search terms: hidradenitis suppurativa and gene* or acne inversa and gene*.

Results

The rate of monogenic mutations associated with HS is less than 7%, with the most common genetic mutations reported in sporadic and familial HS cases being in NCSTN and less frequently in PSENEN. Individuals with mutations in the gamma-secretase complex tended to have more severe HS and an early age of onset.

Limitations

This study was limited to the case studies available in PubMed, the majority of which used targeted gene panels to detect genetic mutations.

Conclusion

Approximately 30% of individuals diagnosed with HS report having a positive family history; however, very few studies demonstrate monogenic familial transmission of HS. The case studies of syndromic HS reported a variety of genetic mutations associated with HS, some of which were familial, while others were sporadic, suggesting that other pathways may be involved in the pathogenesis of HS and other potential mutations that have yet to be evaluated. More research is needed to understand the genetic mutations in HS.

Biomarkers of systemic inflammation are associated with disease severity and metabolic syndrome in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Background

Biomarkers associated with disease severity and comorbid metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are lacking.

Objective

To identify biomarkers associated with disease severity and comorbid MetS in patients with HS.

Methods

Data on hospital outpatients with HS were obtained through clinical examination and interviews. Indicators of systemic inflammation; C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation-rate (ESR), neutrophil/lymphocyte-ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte-ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte-ratio (MLR), platelet/neutrophil-ratio (PNR), pan-immune-inflammation-value (PIV), and systemic-immune-inflammatory-index (SII), were calculated from blood samples.

Results

Seven hundred patients were included; of those 444 (63.4%) and 256 (36.6%) were female and male, respectively, with a median age of 38.3 years (IQR = 27.9-51.0). Increasing CRP, ESR, NLR, PIV, and SII (P < .001) were significantly associated with increasing Hurley-stage and international hidradenitis suppurativa severity score system 4 (IHS4)-score in adjusted analysis. A doubling in CRP (OR 1.59 (1.36-1.85), P < .001), ESR (OR 1.39 (1.17-1.66), P < .001) and PIV (OR 1.41 (1.12-1.77) P = .002) was associated with MetS in adjusted analysis. ESR was the best estimator for severe IHS4-score (AUC = 0.72 (0.66-0.77), P < .001) and Hurley III (AUC = 0.79 (0.73-0.85), P < .001) whereas CRP was best for MetS (AUC = 0.67 (0.62-0.72), P < .001).

Limitations

Patients in a hospital setting tend to have more severe disease.

Conclusion

Biomarkers like CRP, ESR, and PIV measuring systemic inflammation were associated with disease severity and comorbid MetS in patients with HS.

Diagnostic delay in Hidradenitis suppurativa investigated using data from social media and from statutory health insurances

BACKGROUND

The chronic inflammatory skin disease hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) leads to severe pain and reduced quality of life. Nonetheless, it often takes years until a correct diagnosis is made. In this analysis, disease-related experiences and pathways of patients with HS were investigated and compared with the physicians' perspective.

METHODS

Public posts on forums and social media as well as results of a survey conducted among dermatologists and their patients on the actual medical care reality of HS in Germany were analysed. Furthermore, claims data from German health insurance companies were evaluated.

RESULTS

Patients with HS suffer from a 43.3% reduction in working ability. Dermatology (26.5%) was the most frequently consulted specialty, with HS diagnosed predominantly in the inpatient setting (43.8%). Abscesses were described as the most frequent alternative diagnosis in HS patients (53.2%). Patient-reported changes of physicians in dermatology (34.1%) and surgery (42.4%) occurred predominantly within the specialty. Dermatology received most referrals from general practitioners (67.1%), but only 12.1% from surgeons.

CONCLUSION

There is an urgent need to reduce the delay in diagnosis and the prolonged burden of disease in patients with HS. Therefore, awareness of the disease, its detection and treatment which goes beyond dermatology should be promoted, if possible as part of medical studies.

Data wobbles in hidradenitis suppurativa clinical trials and potential contributing factors: a retrospective review

Background

In some hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) clinical trial study arms, there is an unexpected decline in efficacy between the penultimate visit and the prespecified primary endpoint week, which we have termed a "wobble."

Objective

We aimed to establish how often study arms in HS programs wobble.

Methods

In a retrospective review, we identified HS clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov testing systemic, nonantibiotic medications that utilized Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) as an outcome measure. We identified study arms demonstrating greater improvement in a visit prior to the primary endpoint week. Baseline subject characteristics were compared between studies with HiSCR wobble and no HiSCR wobble.

Results

A total of 21 studies (randomized control trial [RCT], n = 14; open-label, n = 7) with 35 study drug arms (RCT, n = 27; open-label, n = 8) and 14 placebo arms were identified. HiSCR wobble occurred significantly more often in RCT compared to open-label study drug arms (11/27 [40.7%] vs 0/8 [0%]). In RCT study arms with HiSCR wobble, baseline draining fistula counts were significantly lower (2.3 vs 3.2), and numerically fewer Hurley stage 3 patients (33.2% vs 42.5%), lower weighted total abscess and nodule counts (12.1 vs 12.6), lower weighted dermatology life quality index scores (12.5 vs 14.5), and a higher proportion of female patients (63.9% vs 58.3%) were observed.

Limitations

Include low number of HS clinical trials and insufficient data reported in many studies to assess for wobble, degree of wobble, and to compare all baseline characteristics.

Conclusion

Nonlinear improvement in study arm response occurs in some HS RCTs. Potential contributing factors include a higher proportion of less severe patients at baseline and more female patients.

Modified PECS II Block for Axillary Hidradenitis Suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin condition. Patients experience exacerbations, leading them to present to the emergency department (ED) for incision and drainage. Direct injection of local anesthetic into these lesions is extremely painful and seldom provides adequate anesthesia. A modified method of the PECS II block can provide anesthesia to the skin of the axilla, making management of HS much less painful for the patient. We performed a bilateral modified PECS II block on a patient requiring incision and drainage of HS lesions in both axillae. She subsequently required no local anesthetic for the procedure.

DISCUSSION

The second injection of the traditional PECS II block involves the deposition of anesthetic in the fascial plane between the pectoralis minor muscle and the serratus anterior muscles. This injection targets the lateral branch of the intercostal nerves, which provide sensory innervation to the axilla.

CONCLUSIONS

A modified technique of the PECS II block, in which only the second injection is performed, is a potentially effective method for anesthetizing the axilla of patients with HS prior to incision and drainage.

Golimumab and certolizumab pegol for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: a literature review and future perspective

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin condition with an underlying inflammatory process. Due to the limited efficacy of available treatments, HS remains a therapeutic challenge. The safety and efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors, adalimumab, infliximab, and etanercept, are well studied in this patient population, and in some cases, HS was unresponsive to them. In recent years, evidence has been growing regarding the application of other anti-TNFs, including certolizumab pegol (CPZ) and golimumab. We sought to evaluate the overall safety and efficacy of golimumab and CPZ in the management of HS. A comprehensive search was performed on the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Ovid Embase databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine from initiation to 31 August 2023. A total of nine and four studies used CPZ and golimumab to treat HS, respectively. Individuals with concomitant inflammatory immune-mediated diseases, pregnant females, and patients who were refractory to previous treatments achieved a Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response following CPZ administration. Also, golimumab showed promise in treating recalcitrant HS after the failure of other treatments, such as adalimumab and anti-interleukin-1. CPZ and golimumab can be efficacious treatment options for moderate-to-severe HS, especially in patients who are unresponsive to other TNF inhibitors, such as adalimumab.

Deroofing: A safe, effective and well-tolerated procedure in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

INTRODUCTION

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a recurrent, debilitating, chronic disorder of the pilosebaceous unit. Although advances in HS treatment have been made, more than 45% of patients remain dissatisfied with systemic treatment, and more than one-third are dissatisfied with surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVES

A prospective, observational study on the deroofing procedures in HS with special attention paid to patient satisfaction and complications.

METHODS

HS lesions were assessed clinically and by the use of ultrasound. Patients reported outcomes, including pain, itch and satisfaction, were measured at 24 h post-surgery by a numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 to 10. Additionally, the timeline of objective wound closure reported by patients in (weeks), in addition to the need for any analgesics use, were both evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean closure time of the post-deroofing wound was assessed as 4.4 ± 1.9 weeks. A statistically longer time was necessary for complete closure in males than in females (4.9 ± 2.2 weeks and 3.9 ± 1.6 weeks, respectively; p = 0.046). The closure time correlated positively yet weakly with the HS tunnel's width (r = 0.27, p = 0.016) and length (r = 0.228, p = 0.044). Patients assessed mean pain at 24 h post-op as mild with 0.7 ± 1.2 points according to NRS, with no differences between sexes. Similarly, itch in the first 24 h was assessed as mild with 1.8 ± 1.1 points, without differences between sexes. No pain, itch or adverse events were reported after 1 week following deroofing. Moreover, no cases of wound infection were reported. An overall patient satisfaction was assessed as 9.9 ± 0.4 points (range 9-10 points).

CONCLUSION

Deroofing is an easy, effective and safe dermatosurgical procedure that does not require surgical experience or operating theatre. It is associated with no complications and very low post-op pain and should be part of holistic HS management.

Autoimmune, Autoinflammatory Disease and Cutaneous Malignancy Associations with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating cutaneous disease characterized by severe painful inflammatory nodules/abscesses. At present, data regarding the epidemiology and pathophysiology of this disease are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To define the prevalence and comorbidity associations of HS.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of EPICTM Cosmos© examining over 180 million US patients. Prevalences were calculated by demographic and odds ratios (OR) and identified comorbidity correlations.

RESULTS

All examined metabolism-related, psychological, and autoimmune/autoinflammatory (AI) diseases correlated with HS. The strongest associations were with pyoderma gangrenosum [OR 26.56; confidence interval (CI): 24.98-28.23], Down syndrome (OR 11.31; CI 10.93-11.70), and polycystic ovarian syndrome (OR 11.24; CI 11.09-11.38). Novel AI associations were found between HS and lupus (OR 6.60; CI 6.26-6.94) and multiple sclerosis (MS; OR 2.38; CI 2.29-2.48). Cutaneous malignancies were largely not associated in the unsegmented cohort; however, among Black patients, novel associations with melanoma (OR 2.39; CI 1.86-3.08) and basal cell carcinoma (OR 2.69; CI 2.15-3.36) were identified.

LIMITATIONS

International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-based disease identification relies on coding fidelity and diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to identify correlations between HS with melanoma and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) among Black patients as well as MS and lupus in all patients with HS.

Brodalumab for moderate-severe hidradenitis suppurativa: An open-label multicentric cohort study in real clinical practice

INTRODUCTION

The use of biological therapy is becoming increasingly common in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Levels of serum TNF-alfa and IL17 support the role of an immune system dysregulation in the pathogenesis of HS. Brodalumab targets the receptor A of IL-17, thus having a promising role in the treatment of HS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A multicenter retrospective observational open-label study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals. Adults with moderate to severe HS under treatment with brodalumab 210 mg at week 0, 1, 2 and then every 2 weeks were included and assessed at weeks 0 and 16 which was the median follow-up time. Demographic and disease-related variables as well as response parameters (HiSCR and IHS4) and safety data were recorded and analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 16 patients (75% males) were included in our study. 50% of patients presented an inflammatory phenotype and mean BMI was 28.37. HiSCR was achieved in 50% of patients and mean IHS4 decreased from 24.13 to 16.81 (p = 0.002). No differences were found between those who achieved HiSCR and those who did not. Grade 2 adverse events were reported in three patients with no fatal outcomes and treatment discontinuation was advised in four patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Brodalumab seems to be effective and safe in patients with moderate to severe HS, even in those that did not respond to adalimumab, which, at the moment, is the only widely approved biologic for this indication. Thus, it stands as an interesting option for the treatment of HS.

Psychosocial effects of hidradenitis suppurativa in the literature: A systematic review

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by painful, deep follicular nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and scarring, most commonly presenting in the inguinal, axillary, and anogenital regions. This condition substantially decreases quality of life in affected individuals, resulting in higher rates of psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance use. The detrimental effects of HS are well documented by dermatologists, as individuals with HS make up a large proportion of the patients that they see daily. However, it is unclear whether psychiatrists are aware of the degree of psychosocial impairment present in HS patients. It is important that those in the field of psychiatry and behavioral medicine are aware of this condition and are comfortable managing it from a psychosocial perspective. This systematic review chronicles the existing literature on the psychosocial effects of HS and assesses the extent to which dermatology journals review these effects in comparison to psychiatry or behavioral medicine.

Activated and Naïve Allogenic Human Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Exert an Immunomodulatory Effect on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patient Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of placental mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Blood samples were collected from 3 healthy and 3 patients with HS. Isolated PBMCs were stained with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/Ionomycin solution. The PBMCs of patients with HS were co-cultured with naïve MSCs (n-MSCs), activated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (10 ng/mL) and interferon (IFN)-γ (10 ng/mL) MSCs (a-MSCs), or adalimumab (30 μg/mL). The division index (proliferation inhibition) of PBMCs was analyzed by flow cytometry using the Proliferation Modeling tool after 5 days of coculture. The relative inflammatory gene expression dynamics and cytokine secretion were quantified in triplicate using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Luminex assays. PBMCs from the HS control group showed statistically significant increases in interleukin (IL)-6 and IFN-γ cytokine concentrations and IL-17A gene expression when compared with healthy subjects. Statistically significant reduction of the division index was found in the a-MSCs group (P = 0.04). Also, the Luminex assay revealed significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokine concentrations of IL-9 (P = 0.022) and IL-17A (P = 0.022) in the a-MSCs group with the same trend of numerical lowering in n-MSCs group when compared to HS control. The results of real-time PCR revealed a numerical increase in the expression of the IL-1β, IL-36α, and TNF-α genes in both the a-MSCs and n-MSCs groups compared with the HS control. In conclusion, our findings suggest that MSCs can effectively curb PBMCs proliferation and suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the preactivation of MSCs with IFN-γ and TNF-α before use can enhance their therapeutic effectiveness. Nevertheless, a larger sample size is imperative to validate these results.

The NLRP3 Inflammasome Gene Is Overexpressed in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Lesions: A Preliminary Study on the Role of Pyroptosis in Disease Pathogenesis

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating inflammatory skin disorder, and its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) and NLRP3 inflammasome in HS pathogenesis. RNA sequencing and real-time PCR were performed to assess the gene expression levels of P2X7R and NLRP3 in the skin biopsies of HS patients and healthy controls (HC). The results of our study revealed a significantly increased expression of the NLRP3 gene in both the lesional and perilesional skin of HS patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, the mRNA levels of NLRP3 were significantly higher in lesional skin compared to non-lesional skin in HS patients, indicating the spread of inflammation to adjacent tissues. In contrast, no significant differences in P2X7R gene expression were observed between the three groups. These findings suggest the involvement of NLRP3 inflammasomes in HS pathogenesis, while P2X7R may not play a significant role in the disease. This research sheds light on the complex inflammatory pathways in HS, highlighting the potential of NLRP3 as a therapeutic target. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying HS is crucial for the development of targeted treatment modalities for this debilitating condition.

Global consensus process to establish a core dataset for hidradenitis suppurativa registries

BACKGROUND

Several registries for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) already exist in Europe and the USA. There is currently no global consensus on a core dataset (CDS) for these registries. Creating a global HS registry is challenging, owing to logistical and regulatory constraints, which could limit opportunities for global collaboration as a result of differences in the dataset collected. The solution is to encourage all HS registries to collect the same CDS of information, allowing registries to collaborate.

OBJECTIVES

To establish a core set of items to be collected by all HS registries globally. The core set will cover demographic details, comorbidities, clinical examination findings, patient-reported outcome measures and treatments.

METHODS

Beginning in September 2022, 20 participants - including both clinicians with expertise in HS and patient advocates - from eight countries across three continents participated in a Delphi process consisting of four rounds of voting, with all participants completing each round. A list of potential items for inclusion in the core set was generated from the relevant published literature, including systematic reviews of comorbidities in HS, clinical and examination findings, and epidemiology. For disease severity and progression items, the Hidradenitis SuppuraTiva Core outcome set International Collaboration (HiSTORIC) core set and other relevant instruments were considered for inclusion. This resulted in 47 initial items. Participants were invited to suggest additional items to include during the first round. Anonymous feedback was provided to inform each subsequent round of voting to encourage consensus.

RESULTS

The eDelphi process established a CDS of 48 items recommended for inclusion in all HS registries globally.

CONCLUSIONS

The routine adoption of this CDS in current and future HS registries should allow registries in different parts of the world to collaborate, enabling research requiring large numbers of participants.

Oral fusidic acid for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating inflammatory skin disease. Tetracyclines are one of the few therapeutic options recommended for mild-to-moderate disease. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of systemic fusidic acid's (FA) effectiveness in treating HS.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 55 FA therapy cycles (TC, average weekly dose: 6409 mg; range: 5250-9800 mg; 2-12 weeks) in 49 patients. The outcome was evaluated using the Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) scale. Therapy response was defined as any reduction of inflammatory activity without the occurrence of flares. We also characterized adverse events and investigated predictors for treatment success. Results were compared to a matched control group receiving doxycycline.

RESULTS

FA treatment (55 treatment cycles (TC); male: 45.5%; female: 54.5%) showed an overall response rate of 70.9% (39 TC). No worsening was observed. Significantly higher response rates were observed in females (83.3%, P = 0.026) and Hurley I (90.9%, P = 0.008). After multivariate adjustment, higher response rates were associated with the Hurley grade (P = 0.046) but not with gender (P = 0.0174). Adverse reactions (21.8% gastrointestinal symptoms) occurred in 27.3% (15 TC) and 46.7% within the first 4 weeks. Similar results were observed in the doxycycline control group (overall response rate: 76.4%).

CONCLUSION

Oral FA is safe and improves symptoms in most patients. HS patients could benefit from oral FA treatment, especially in case of contraindications or resistance to tetracyclines.

Automated classification of hidradenitis suppurativa disease severity by convolutional neural network analyses using calibrated clinical images

BACKGROUND

The assessment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) severity requires detailed, and error-prone lesion counts. This proof-of-concept study aimed to automatically classify HS disease severity using machine learning of clinical smartphone images.

METHODS

777 ambient-light and size-controlled images were used to build a class-balanced synthetic dataset (n = 7675). Convolutional neural networks (CNN) were used for automated severity classification (scale 0-3), and to assess disease-dynamics. International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4) served as reference. A U-NET algorithm was implemented for automated localization of diseased skin.

RESULTS

CNNs were able to distinguish no/mild from moderate/severe disease with an overall prediction accuracy of 78% [receiver operating curve (AUC) 0.85]. Correct IHS4 classification was achieved with an overall accuracy of 72% (AUC 0.84-0.89). In addition, disease dynamics using IHS4 numerical values aligned with CNN outputs (NRMSE 0.262). The UNET algorithm localized lesions with a pixel accuracy of 88.1% and test loss of 0.42.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations in assessing tattooed and hairy skin. Limited number of patients with dark skin colour and Hurley I.

CONCLUSION

CNNs were able to distinguish no/mild from moderate/severe disease, classify disease severity over time, and automatically identify diseased skin areas and the skin phototype. This study breaks new grounds for fast, reliable, reproducible and easy-to-use HS severity assessments using clinical images.

Decades Delayed in Diagnosis: Hidradenitis Suppurativa and a Review of Barriers to Care

We present a case of a 40-year-old female seen on the inpatient general surgery service in consultation for a suspected abdominal wall abscess or seroma. The history and examination were consistent with a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa. The patient had a 25-year history of similar lesions present since her teenage years, not properly investigated and diagnosed, despite presenting with symptoms in multiple clinic and hospital settings since disease onset. As an accurate diagnosis of HS is often missed or delayed for years, it is important to increase awareness and clinical recognition of this condition among providers to improve outcomes for patients with the potentially debilitating disease of HS.

Long-Term Efficacy of Guselkumab in an Adolescent Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients: A Case Report

Managing HS has long posed a significant challenge for dermatologists. Adalimumab stands as the sole biologic drug sanctioned for HS, receiving approval in 2015 as an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α drug. Real-life evidence over the years has debated its efficacy, suggesting a success rate hovering around 70%. However, the variability in existing treatments and the chronic-recurrent nature of the condition make its treatment and management exceedingly challenging. Hence, identifying new therapeutic targets for HS in the future becomes imperative. Recently, on October 31, 2023, the FDA approved secukinumab for moderate-severe HS, marking a significant development. There has been substantial discourse on the potential of anti-interleukin-23 drugs as new therapeutic avenues for treating HS in recent years. Here, we report a case of 17-year-old man successfully treated with Guselkumab. The results were confirmed at week 52.

Interstitial keratitis presenting as the ocular manifestation of undiagnosed hidradenitis suppurativa

Interstitial keratitis is defined as nonulcerative inflammation of the corneal stroma resulting from a bacterial or viral infection, parasitic antigen, or autoimmune response. Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory skin condition that presents with painful and inflamed boils in apocrine gland-bearing regions of the body, typically with onset around puberty, and ocular comorbidities exist in only a small percentage of these patients. Herein, we describe a unique ocular presentation of hidradenitis suppurativa including pronounced bilateral interstitial keratitis and association with high titer c-ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies).

[Hidradenitis suppurativa]

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory disease derived from the pilosebaceous unit, that affects approximately 1% of the general population. Clinically, it is characterized by inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and tunnels in the intertriginous areas of the body, especially in the axillary, inguinal, and anogenital regions. The etiopathogenesis of HS is not completely understood, although it is considered to be multifactorial, and the result of a complex interaction between genetic, hormonal, environmental, and immunological factors. In this sense, several proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-L-1β, and IL-17, among others, appear to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Currently, HS is recognized as a systemic disease associated with numerous comorbidities, including cardiovascular, immune-mediated, and endocrine-metabolic diseases. The treatment of HS must be carried out with an individualized and patient-oriented approach, considering medical and surgical treatment modalities.

Crafting Contours: A Comprehensive Guide to Scrotal Reconstruction

This review delves into reconstructive methods for scrotal defects arising from conditions like Fournier's gangrene, cancer, trauma, or hidradenitis suppurativa. The unique anatomy of the scrotum, vital for thermoregulation and spermatogenic function, necessitates reconstruction with thin and pliable tissue. When the scrotal defect area is less than half the scrotal surface area, scrotal advancement flap can be performed. However, for larger defects, some type of transplantation surgery is required. Various options are explored, including testicular transposition, tissue expanders, split-thickness skin grafts, local flaps, and free flaps, each with merits and demerits based on factors like tissue availability, defect size, and patient specifics. Also, physicians should consider how testicular transposition, despite its simplicity, often yields unsatisfactory outcomes and impairs spermatogenesis. This review underscores the individuality of aesthetic standards for scrotal reconstruction, urging surgeons to tailor techniques to patient needs, health, and defect size. Detailed preoperative counseling is crucial to inform patients about outcomes and limitations. Ongoing research focuses on advancing techniques, not only anatomically but also in enhancing post-reconstruction quality of life, emphasizing the commitment to continuous improvement in scrotal reconstruction.

Emerging Role of the IL-36/IL-36R Axis in Multiple Inflammatory Skin Diseases

IL-36 is a most recent member of the IL-1 cytokine family, primarily expressed at barrier sites of the body such as the skin, lungs, and intestine. It plays a vital role in inflammation and is implicated in the development of various cutaneous; intestinal; and pulmonary disorders, including psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. IL-36 comprises 4 isoforms: the proinflammatory IL-36α, IL-36β, and IL-36γ and the anti-inflammatory IL-36R antagonist. An imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory IL-36 isoforms can contribute to the inflammatory fate of cells and tissues. IL-36 cytokines signal through an IL-36R heterodimer mediating their function through canonical signaling cacade, including the NF-B pathway. Prominent for its role in psoriasis, IL-36 has recently been associated with disease mechanisms in atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, neutrophilic dermatoses, autoimmune blistering disease, and Netherton syndrome. The major cutaneous source of IL-36 cytokines is keratinocytes, pointing to its role in the communication between the epidermis, innate (neutrophils, dendritic cells) immune system, and adaptive (T helper [Th]1 cells, Th17) immune system. Thus, cutaneous IL-36 signaling is crucial for the immunopathological outcome of various skin diseases. Consequently, the IL-36/IL-36R axis has recently been recognized as a promising drug target for the treatment of inflammatory disorders beyond psoriasis. This review summarizes the current update on IL-36 cytokines in inflammatory skin diseases.

Review of Scoring Systems for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic deep-seated nodules, abscesses, fistulae, sinus tracts, and scars in apocrine gland-bearing regions. Assessing its severity is challenging because of its clinical heterogeneity, lack of a standardized tool, and increasing severity scores. This article provides a chronological overview of HS grading scales to aid in the understanding and comparison of different scoring systems. A literature review of articles published in English on PubMed was conducted searched from 1989 to 2023. The review includes 15 scores that are the most relevant and widely used and acknowledges the existence of over 30 scoring systems for HS. The expanding landscape of HS scoring systems presents challenges when patients evaluated using different systems are compared. A universally accepted scoring system is required for consistent application across diverse populations. A comprehensive assessment should balance subjective and objective items, considering observer-reported signs and patient-reported symptoms to make meaningful treatment decisions.

Secukinumab in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients Who Failed Adalimumab: A 52-Week Real-Life Study

Background

The treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has always been a real challenge for dermatologists; to date, adalimumab the only biologic drug approved for HS is adalimumab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α drug, the approval of this drug dates to 2015, data provided by real life show an effectiveness rate of about 60% percent. Recently (31 October 2023) FDA approves secukinumab for moderate-severe HS. The treatment and management of HS is very challenging as available treatments are very limited and show very variable outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a prospective monocentric study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of secukinumab treatment in HS patients in a real-life setting.

Results

The initial cohort of patients recruited included 21 HS patients including 12 females and 9 males. About 57.1% of patients achieved the primary endpoint and recorded significant decrease in all the severity assessment scales (IHS4, DLQI and VAS pain scale) at week 16 and 52, when HiSCR reached 71.4%.

Conclusion

The results of our study highlight that treatment with secukinumab in patients with severe HS who failed adalimumab may be a safe and effective therapeutic weapon.

Pathological and Therapeutical Implications of Pyroptosis in Psoriasis and Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Narrative Review

This manuscript explores the role of pyroptosis, an inflammatory programmed cell death, in the pathogenesis of two chronic dermatoses, psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The diseases, though clinically diverse, share common pathogenetic pathways involving the unbalanced interaction between the adaptive and innate immune systems. This review focuses on the molecular changes in psoriatic and HS skin, emphasizing the activation of dendritic cells, secretion of interleukins (IL-17, IL-22, and TNF-α), and the involvement of inflammasomes, particularly NLRP3. This manuscript discusses the role of caspases, especially caspase-1, in driving pyroptosis and highlights the family of gasdermins (GSDMs) as key players in the formation of pores leading to cell rupture and the release of proinflammatory signals. This study delves into the potential therapeutic implications of targeting pyroptosis in psoriasis and HS, examining existing medications like biologics and Janus kinase inhibitors. It also reviews the current limitations and challenges in developing therapies that selectively target pyroptosis. Additionally, the manuscript explores the role of pyroptosis in various inflammatory disorders associated with psoriasis and HS, such as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disorders. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to fully elucidate the pathomechanisms of these dermatoses and develop effective, targeted therapies.

Imaging features for the evaluation of skin and nail infections

Clinical manifestations of dermatological and musculoskeletal conditions can sometimes overlap, leading to confusion in diagnosis. Patients with nail and skin infections may undergo imaging examinations with suspicions of muscle, tendon, or joint injuries. Dermatological infections often involve soft tissues and musculoskeletal structures, and their etiology can range from fungi, bacteria, viruses, to protozoa. Relying solely on physical examination may not be sufficient for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, necessitating the use of complementary imaging exams. The objective of this paper is to present and discuss imaging findings of the main infectious conditions affecting the nail apparatus and skin. The paper also highlights the importance of imaging in clarifying diagnostic uncertainties and guiding appropriate treatment for dermatological conditions.

Pedicled circumflex scapular artery perforator flap with intra-axillary tunneling for axillary defect coverage after surgical excision of hidradenitis suppurativa: A case report and literature review

Axillary defects represent a rather common issue in plastic surgery practice. Surgical resections related to skin disease are frequent in this region and their extension often requires soft tissue transfer for coverage. In this setting, locoregional pedicled flaps are usually preferred. The nearby tissues offer pliable but still resistant skin, which satisfy the "like-with-like" reconstructive principle. Over the years different procedures have been described for this purpose. Among them, a valuable and often underestimated technique is the circumflex scapular artery perforator flap (CSAP). This technique might be particularly suitable for thin but relatively large defects. Its main advantages are a low donor site morbidity, a very reliable anatomy, and a perforator pedicle able supply a large skin paddle. In the present work, we report the use of a pedicled vertical CSAP flap passed through the axillary canal in order to cover a 9 cm × 7 cm axillary defect after surgical excision of hidradenitis suppurativa resistant to conservative treatment. The perforator-based pedicled presented two branches, which allowed us to harvest safely a large skin paddle, which limited its range of motion. For this reason, we opted for a passage through the axillary canal for the flap inset. The postoperative course was uneventful and full shoulder range of motion was obtained at 3 months follow-up. Despite most of the descriptions of this flap available so far showed its employment for limb's reconstructions, we believe that it is a very useful tool also for locoregional coverage. Moreover, the unconventional passage below the axillary muscles allowed reaching the recipient site even with a shorter pedicle, such as the one encountered in this case.

A survey-based study on experiences with and perspectives toward medical providers among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa frequently visit medical providers and are often misdiagnosed or inappropriately educated on their disease. This survey study investigated how often patients received misinformation about their disease. Many participants reported receiving incorrect information that caused shame and made them avoid seeing medical providers.

Hidradenitis suppurativa tarda: defining an understudied elderly population

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, devastating, multifactorial skin disease. Patients generally develop HS after puberty and the prevalence of the disease is assumed to decrease with higher age. Data outside the usual age range are limited, especially for elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and associated comorbidities among the elderly HS population.

METHODS

Data were collected through a population-wide survey-based study within the Lifelines Cohort Study in the Netherlands. The clinical characteristics of elderly patients with HS (≥ 60 years) were compared with an adult population (< 60 years) with HS. The comorbidities in elderly patients with HS were compared with those of a non-HS sex- and age-matched elderly population in a 1 : 4 ratio. HS in the elderly was defined as active HS in patients aged 60 years and older. Within the HS elderly group, two subgroups were defined, late-onset HS (HS developed after 60 years of age) and persistent HS (HS developed from a younger age but continuing after 60 years of age).

RESULTS

Within the Lifelines cohort 209 elderly patients with HS were identified as well as an adult (< 60 years) group with HS (n = 793) and a non-HS sex- and age-matched control elderly group (n = 810). The prevalence of HS among the elderly bootstrap analysis population was 0.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4-1.2]. A significantly higher age of HS symptom onset was found compared with the adult HS group: respectively, 40 vs. 23 years (odds ratio 1.056, 95% CI 1.05-1.07). Among the elderly HS cohort (in the Discussion, the HS tarda cohort) a female : male ratio of 1.7 : 1.0 and a higher family history for HS were found. Moreover, elderly patients with HS had a significantly higher risk of having HS-associated comorbidities compared with the sex- and age-matched controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of HS in the elderly is not rare. Among the elderly a shift from female predominance towards a lower female : male ratio in HS is observed. In addition, HS in the elderly showed significant variation in age of onset and involved body areas. Moreover, elderly patients with HS were more susceptible to multimorbidity. Finally, we propose defining HS in the elderly as 'HS tarda' and subdividing it as late-onset and persistent HS tarda.

Risk of osteoarthritis in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: a global federated health network analysis

Background

Osteoarthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) share a common inflammatory pathway. However, whether patients with HS have higher risk developing osteoarthritis remained unclear.

Methods

A retrospective cohort design was adopted in this study. Electronic medical records had been retrieved from the US collaborative network in the TriNetX research network. A propensity score matching of 1:1 was performed to match for covariates. In total, 50,931 patients with HS and the same amount of non-HS controls were identified for analyses. Hazard ratio (HR) of osteoarthritis in patient with HS was calculated.

Results

Risk of patients with HS developing osteoarthritis was 1.37-fold higher than that of non-HS controls [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.21-1.55] when followed up for 1 year. The significance remained when the follow-up periods were extended to 3 years and 5 years. When osteoarthritis was stratified on occurring sites, the HR of knee osteoarthritis was 1.19 (95% CI, 1.09-1.29) and the HR of hip osteoarthritis was 1.17 (95% CI, 1.01-1.35) in the 5-year follow-up. The 5-year risk of osteoarthritis remained significant in sensitivity models.

Conclusion

Patients with HS were of high risk of developing osteoarthritis compared with people without HS. The clinical association was recommended to be considered while approaching patients with HS.

Increased ambient outdoor temperatures are associated with increased disease flaring in hidradenitis suppurativa

Despite evidence to suggest a relationship between time of year and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) flaring, no studies have been conducted to date to establish a relationship directly between temperature and flaring. In this study, we aim to validate a classification approach based on administrative data for identifying medical encounters that likely represent HS flares in patient with a known diagnosis of HS within the Mass General Brigham Health System (MGB) and examine the relationship between average daily temperatures and HS disease flaring among patients in Boston. This is a retrospective cohort study. Participants were individuals with HS presenting to emergency departments or dermatology outpatient clinics with disease flares between January 2017 and January 2022. The average number of encounters for HS flares was compared with the temperature for that day and the 3- and 7-day periods prior. There were 2567 patient encounters for HS flares included in the study. Of the total identified HS flares, 75.6% occurred in females and 39.1% occurred in patients who identified as Black. Uniformly small but statistically significant relationships were noted between increased temperature and presentations for hidradenitis suppurativa flare with the highest correlation coefficient (0.0768) noted with a 3-day lag time between the heat experienced and day of presentation for flare. Increased temperature is associated with a small, but statistically significant increase in HS disease flaring. As such, HS disease flaring may rise as global temperatures do, suggesting an increase in the global burden of HS as climate change persists.

Patients' Expectations and Satisfaction with the Patient-Doctor Relationship in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

INTRODUCTION

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with a vast psychosocial burden. We analyzed the actual and ideal patient-doctor relationship and patients' satisfaction with the patient-doctor relationship in relation to their satisfaction with life (SWL), HS-related quality of life, and psychopathological symptoms.

METHODS

105 HS patients (53% females; mean age 37.64 ± 14.01 years) were enrolled. Severity of the disease was measured using Hurley staging and the International HS Score System (IHS4). Instruments utilized: Patient Expectation Test; Satisfaction with Life Scale; HS Quality of Life; Patient Health Questionnaire-9; Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; General Health Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Patients with Hurley I and mild IHS4 had the lowest satisfaction with the patient-doctor relationship. There were significant correlations between the actual patient-doctor relationship and the patients' SWL (r = 0.30; p = 0.002), depressive (r = -0.36; p < 0.01), anxiety (r = 0.37; p < 0.01) and psychopathological symptoms (r = -0.47; p < 0.0001) and between the satisfaction with the patient-doctor relationship and their SWL (r = -0.32; p = 0.00098). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant influence of the following factors: Hurley II + III, psychopathological symptoms, and severe anxiety about the actual patient-doctor relationship and the satisfaction with the patient-doctor relationship.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of relations between patients and doctors is related to the patients' mental health and SWL. The usage of the Patient Expectation Test in clinical practice can improve the patient-doctor relationship and the general quality of care for and compliance by HS patients.

Metformin: A Potential Treatment for Acne, Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Rosacea

Metformin is a widely used drug for treatment of diabetes mellitus, due to its safety and efficacy. In addition to its role as an antidiabetic drug, numerous beneficial effects of metformin have enabled its use in various diseases. Considering the anti-androgenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-fibrotic and antioxidant properties of metformin, it may have the potential to improve chronic inflammatory skin diseases. However, further evidence is needed to confirm the efficacy of metformin in dermatological conditions, This review focuses on exploring the therapeutic targets of metformin in acne vulgaris, hidradenitis suppurativa and rosacea, by studying their pathogeneses.

Epigenetic switch reshapes epithelial progenitor cell signatures and drives inflammatory pathogenesis in hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a complex inflammatory skin disease with undefined mechanistic underpinnings. Here, we investigated HS epithelial cells and demonstrated that HS basal progenitors modulate their lineage restriction and give rise to pathogenic keratinocyte clones, resulting in epidermal hyperproliferation and dysregulated inflammation in HS. When comparing to healthy epithelial stem/progenitor cells, in HS, we identified changes in gene signatures that revolve around the mitotic cell cycle, DNA damage response and repair, as well as cell-cell adhesion and chromatin remodeling. By reconstructing cell differentiation trajectory and CellChat modeling, we identified a keratinocyte population specific to HS. This population is marked by S100A7/8/9 and KRT6 family members, triggering IL1, IL10, and complement inflammatory cascades. These signals, along with HS-specific proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, contribute to the recruitment of certain immune cells during the disease progression. Furthermore, we revealed a previously uncharacterized role of S100A8 in regulating the local chromatin environment of target loci in HS keratinocytes. Through the integration of genomic and epigenomic datasets, we identified genome-wide chromatin rewiring alongside the switch of transcription factors (TFs), which mediated HS transcriptional profiles. Importantly, we identified numerous clinically relevant inflammatory enhancers and their coordinated TFs in HS basal CD49fhigh cells. The disruption of the S100A enhancer using the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated approach or the pharmacological inhibition of the interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3) efficiently reduced the production of HS-associated inflammatory regulators. Our study not only uncovers the plasticity of epidermal progenitor cells in HS but also elucidates the epigenetic mechanisms underlying HS pathogenesis.

A history of asthma is associated with susceptibility to hidradenitis suppurativa: a population-based longitudinal study

The association of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and asthma remains to be investigated. To assess the bidirectional association between HS and asthma. A population-based study was conducted to compare HS patients (n = 6779) with age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched control subjects (n = 33,259) with regard to the incidence of new onset and the prevalence of preexisting asthma. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. The prevalence of preexisting asthma was higher in patients with HS relative to controls (9.6% vs. 6.9%, respectively; P < 0.001). The odds of HS were 1.4-fold greater in patients with a history of asthma (fully adjusted OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.27-1.55; P < 0.001). The incidence rate of new-onset asthma was estimated at 9.0 (95% CI 6.3-12.7) and 6.2 (95% CI 5.1-7.5) cases per 10,000 person-years among patients with HS and controls, respectively. The risk of asthma was not statistically different in patients with HS and controls (fully adjusted HR 1.53; 95% CI 0.98-2.38; P = 0.062). Relative to other patients with HS, those with HS and comorbid asthma were younger at the onset of HS (30.7 [14.7] vs. 33.3 [15.1], respectively; P < 0.001) and had a comparable risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.44-1.68; P = 0.660). A history of asthma confers susceptibility to subsequent development of HS. This observation is of importance for clinicians managing both patients with HS and asthma. Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathomechanism underlying this finding.

Secukinumab in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

The IL-17 pathways are involved in the pathophysiology of many inflammatory skin conditions, including hidradenitis suppurativa. Secukinumab, an IL-17A inhibitor, has been used for years in inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis. To date, the only US FDA-approved medication for hidradenitis suppurativa is adalimumab, a TNF-α inhibitor. Recently, secukinumab has demonstrated promising results in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa in the phase III SUNSHINE and SUNRISE clinical trials. This article reviews the mechanism of action of secukinumab and summarizes the available clinical efficacy and safety data regarding secukinumab in the management of hidradenitis suppurativa.