What Heals Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Evaluating the Internet as a Source of Information for Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Review of Websites' Content, Insights Into Engagement, and Access

BACKGROUND

The Internet has become the primary information source for patients, with most turning to online resources before seeking medical advice.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of online information on hidradenitis suppurativa available to patients.

METHODS

The authors performed an Internet search using the search terms "hidradenitis suppurativa," "hidradenitis suppurativa treatment," "hidradenitis suppurativa surgery," and "acne inversa." They identified the initial 100 websites from Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Websites were evaluated based on the modified Ensuring Quality Information for Patients instrument.

RESULTS

Of the 300 websites, 95 (31.7%) were incorporated after accounting for the exclusion criteria: duplicate entries, websites not pertinent to the subject matter, websites inaccessible due to location restrictions or necessitating user accounts for access, websites in languages other than English, and websites originating from scientific publications directed at a scientific audience rather than the general population. Ensuring Quality Information for Patients scores ranged from 5 to 30/36, with a median of 17.

CONCLUSION

This analysis unveils a diverse array of websites that could confound patients navigating toward high-caliber resources. These barriers may hinder the access to top-tier online patient information and magnify disparities in referral rates, patient engagement, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life.

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.

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.

The Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flap for the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa of the Axilla: A Prospective Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a common chronic condition that is often resistant to conservative treatment and requires a wide and aggressive surgical approach to prevent recurrence. A prospective study was performed comparing the outcomes of thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap-based reconstruction and secondary intention closure (SIC) after wide local excision (WLE) of axillary HS.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on 68 patients with stage 3 axillary HS. Thirty-three patients underwent a WLE procedure and were left to heal by secondary intention (SIC group), and 35 patients underwent immediate reconstruction with a homolateral TDAP flap (TDAP group). Inpatient stay, healing time, postoperative complications rate, and pain were analyzed in both groups, comparing preoperative shoulder function (using Constant-Murley shoulder outcome score) and quality of life (using a dermatology life quality index) with postoperative shoulder function and quality of life.

RESULTS

Patients receiving TDAP flaps had significantly faster recovery, fewer complications, and fewer overall number of procedures than those who underwent SIC. All patients reported an improved quality of life after their operation. The TDAP group showed significantly more improvement than the SIC group ( P < 0.001). Patients receiving TDAP flaps reported a significant reduction in pain and discomfort and better shoulder function compared with patients in the SIC group ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

WLE and TDAP flap-based reconstruction for axillary stage 3 HS provide optimal postprocedural functional results with a low complication rate. Complete remission of the disease was observed after the procedure. Despite the relatively slow learning curve of this procedure, the authors strongly recommend this technique as a very good option for the management of stage 3 axillary HS.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, II.

The efficacy and safety of endo-radiofrequency for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and recurrent disease of the axilla and groin with inflammatory lesions. There is no definitive medication or intervention to cure the disease. Radiofrequency (RF) is a modality to destroy the lesions by transferring heat into the skin. To date, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RF at HS.

METHODS

This 9-month, prospective, nonrandomized, and single-blinded study is a clinical trial conducted in 10 patients with refractory HS. In all patients, the initial grade of HS was evaluated. The procedure involved treating HS of the axilla with a endo-RF wave device. Post-treatment evaluation included: determination of the severity of the disease by a blinded dermatologist, the degree of patient satisfaction, tolerability in each patient, and complications of the procedure. We also evaluate the recurrence of the disease during a 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The satisfaction level after the intervention among under-studied cases was excellent and good in six of cases. There was a significant difference in comparing the grading score of patients before and 3 months after receiving RF (P-value: 0.01). Regarding tolerability, eight of the patients could tolerate it. We had no complication after the intervention and four cases had not recurrence during a 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Endo-RF is an effective and safe modality for treating HS however to prevent the recurrence, periodic therapy sessions are needed.

LAight® Therapy Is an Effective Treatment Option to Maintain Long-Term Remission of Hurley I and II Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Results from Period B of RELIEVE, a Multicenter Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, inflammatory, burdensome skin disease where current first-line treatments are limited to topical and/or systemic antibiotics which cannot be applied for long-term disease management. Period B of the RELIEVE study analyzes whether LAight® therapy can sustain or even increase remission after a first topical antibiotic treatment cycle.

METHODS

The RELIEVE study was performed as a two-period multicenter randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment. For period A from week 0 to week 16, the 88 participating Hurley I and II patients were randomized to either a group receiving topical clindamycin 1% solution combined with 8 additional bi-weekly treatments with LAight® therapy (group TC + L) or a group which was treated with topical clindamycin 1% solution only (group TC). After 16 weeks, patients entered open-label period B and both groups were treated exclusively with LAight® therapy for an additional 16 weeks (8 sessions, group TC + L/L and group TC/L).

RESULTS

In total, 88 patients were enrolled in RELIEVE. Seventy-eight patients entered period B; 39 belonged to group TC + L/L and 39 to group TC/L. The IHS4-response at the start of period B was 62% (group TC + L/L) and 33% (group TC + L). During the 16 weeks of additional monotherapy with LAight, in both groups >90% of patients who responded to therapy in period A maintained their IHS4-response at week 32. IHS4 response rates continued to rise up to 79% of the TC + L/L group and up to 71% of the TC/L group during period B at week 32. Achievement of HiSCR and certain patient reported outcomes confirmed primary endpoint results.

CONCLUSION

LAight® therapy is an effective approved therapy option for Hurley I and II HS that can be used continuously to maintain treatment success. During 16 weeks of follow-up in period B, over 90% of patients with response after period A maintained their treatment outcome, while more than 60% of prior nonresponders gained response. The fact that LAight® therapy can be applied continuously, is very effective and is well tolerated makes it a valuable treatment tool in the design of HS long-term treatment modalities.

Exploring Access to Surgical Interventions for Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Retrospective Population-Based Analysis

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful inflammatory disorder that confers significant distress to patients, with surgery as an integral treatment modality.

OBJECTIVE

To inform improvements in care, patterns in HS surgery were assessed.

METHODS

A retrospective population-based analysis was performed on Ontario billing claims for HS surgery across a period of 10 years from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2017. HS surgery was defined as the excision of inguinal, perineal, or axillary skin and sweat glands for hidradenitis. The top 5 billing specialties, including general and plastic surgery, were analyzed. The total number of procedures performed as well as the number performed per physician were investigated. Patient and physician locations were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 7195 claims for the excision of inguinal, perineal, or axillary skin and sweat glands for HS were submitted across the study period. Annual HS surgery claims showed an increasing trend across 10 years, ranging between 4.9 and 5.8 per 100,000 population. However, overall, for every additional year, the number of claims per 100,000 population only increased slightly, by 0.03 claims. The number of providers steadily decreased, ranging between 1.7 and 1.9 per 100,000, with approximately twice as many general than plastic surgeons. However, again overall, for every additional year, the number of providers per 100,000 population decreased slightly, by 0.002 physicians. The mean annual number of procedures per physician rose from 2.8 to 3.1. In rural areas, analyzed per claim, general surgeons performed the majority of surgeries (1318/2003, 65.8%), while in urban areas, surgeries were more equally performed by general (2616/5192, 50.4%) and plastic (2495/5192, 48.1%) surgeons. Of HS surgery claims, 25.7%-35.9% were provided by a physician residing in a different area than the patient receiving care.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant improvements in access to HS surgery were seen across the study period, with access potentially worsening with annual HS claims rising overall and number of providers decreasing, with patients travelling further to access surgery. System barriers across the continuum of HS diagnosis and management must be evaluated to improve access to surgical care.

LAight® Therapy Significantly Enhances Treatment Efficacy of 16 Weeks of Topical Clindamycin Solution in Hurley I and II Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Results from Period A of RELIEVE, a Multicenter Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory, burdensome skin disease where medical first-line treatment is still limited to long-term, topical and/or systemic antibiotics. The RELIEVE study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of LAight® therapy - a combination of intense pulsed light and radiofrequency - as an adjunct treatment to first-line therapies in Hurley stage I and II HS.

METHODS

The RELIEVE study was performed as a two-period multicenter randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment. For period A from week 0 to week 16, the 88 participating subjects were randomized into either an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). The IG received topical clindamycin 1% solution combined with 8 additional bi-weekly treatments with LAight® therapy. The CG was treated with topical clindamycin 1% solution only. After 16 weeks, patients entered open-label period B and both groups were treated exclusively with LAight® therapy for an additional 16 weeks (8 sessions). The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Score System (∆IHS4) at week 16 to baseline. Secondary endpoints were DLQI, HiSCR, Pain-NRS, and HADS.

RESULTS

In total, from the 88 patients enrolled in RELIEVE, 81 patients were included in the endpoint analysis after period A. After 16 weeks of treatment, the ∆IHS4 of the group treated with the combination of LAight® therapy and topical clindamycin 1% solution was -7.2 ± 6.7 (-60.0%), which was significantly higher in magnitude than the ∆IHS4 in the group treated with clindamycin 1% solution alone (-1.8 ± 5.6, -17.8%, p < 0.001). Secondary endpoints, including other clinical scores as well as patient-reported outcomes, confirmed that the efficacy of the combined treatment was superior to monotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The results of the primary endpoint analysis of period A of the RELIEVE study show that the combined therapy with LAight® and topical clindamycin 1% solution, resulted in a significantly higher decrease in disease severity and an improvement of quality of life in comparison to topical clindamycin 1% solution monotherapy. Treatment was well tolerated, and side effects were all mild and transitory. These data speak for the implementation of the combined treatment as a first-line therapy in Hurley stage I and II HS. LAight® therapy as long-term monotherapy (results from period B), will be analyzed in a consecutive paper.

[Hidradenitis suppurativa /acne inversa-surgical options, reconstruction and combinations with drug therapies-an update]

Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa (HS/AI) ist eine chronisch-entzündliche Hauterkrankung, deren Behandlung sowohl konservative als auch chirurgische Behandlungsmöglichkeiten umfasst. In den Hurley-Stadien II und III ist die chirurgische Resektion irreversibel zerstörten Gewebes anzustreben. Hierzu existieren verschiedene Resektionstechniken, die sich vor allem in ihrer Invasivität und Rezidivneigung unterscheiden. Bis heute gibt es keinen allgemein akzeptierten Konsens hinsichtlich verschiedener Resektions- und Rekonstruktionstechniken sowie der Einbeziehung medikamentöser Therapien in das therapeutische Gesamtkonzept.

Factors Affecting Healing in the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic debilitating condition. Treatment of HS depends on disease stage, goals of care, access to care, and frequency of symptoms. We present our experience with surgical treatment for patients with HS.

METHODS

Patients were followed longitudinally for at least 2 years postsurgical intervention. Demographic data, participation in a multidisciplinary program, type of surgery, healing rates, and potential factors contributing to wound healing were retrospectively reviewed in all cases using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria with a total of 810 involved sites. Overall, 59% of patients had Hurley stage 3 disease at the time of surgery. Healing rates of 80% were observed in stages 1 and 2, and 74% were observed in stage 3. Hurley stage was not a significant predictor of healing (P = 0.09). Surgical treatment consisted of 38% incision and drainage, 44% excision without closure, and 17% excision with primary closure. Incisional and excisional treatments healed 78% and 79%, respectively, at 2 years. Primarily repaired defects (grafts and flaps) were 68% healed at 2 years. Observed healing rates were uniform regardless of the number of sites involved (P = 0.959). Participation in the multidisciplinary program was the strongest predictor of healing (78% vs 45%, P = 0.004). Sex, age, body mass index, tobacco use, diabetes, presurgery hemoglobin, and family history of HS were statistically not significant. Continuation of immune modulating therapy within 2 weeks of surgery was a predictor of reduced healing (odds ratio, 0.23; P = 0.004), whereas holding biologics for at least 2 weeks was not significant (odds ratio, 1.99; P = 0.146).

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in a multidisciplinary program is a strong predictor of long-term success when treating HS. Hurley score and number of involved sites did not correlate with successful healing after surgery. If taking biologics, we identified 2 weeks as an appropriate break from biologics before and after surgical intervention. Healing rates were highest with ablative procedures (incision and drainage, excision) alone.

Factors influencing the local cure rate of hidradenitis suppurativa following wide local excision

Wide local excision is the gold standard and only potential curative therapy for recalcitrant hidradenitis suppurativa. However, high recurrence rates persist even post-surgery with little known on the influencing factors for remission. We evaluated the effect of patient, disease, and operative factors on local cure rate of moderate to severe hidradenitis following wide local excision. We performed a retrospective chart review for all patients who had undergone surgical excision of hidradenitis at a university hospital from 2012 to 2018. We identified 79 patients with a total of 220 operative sites. The majority were obese (mean body mass index [BMI] 32.5), female (71%), African-American (84%), and had a mean age of 31 years. A quarter of operative sites experienced a recurrence (n = 56). Patients who achieved remission had a significantly lower number of affected regions than those who experienced a recurrence (2.3 vs 3.6, P = .0023). Additionally, recurrence rate differed significantly between body locations (P = .0440). Smoking, BMI, Hurley grade, closure method, and excision size did not influence local cure rate. Surgical excision remains a worthy management option for hidradenitis patients with three quarters achieving remission after a single operation. Number of affected regions and location of hidradenitis may play a factor in recurrence.

Combined treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa with intense pulsed light (IPL) and radiofrequency (RF)

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease with high burden. Treatment options are often unsatisfactory. We assessed the effect of a combination therapy of intense pulsed light (IPL) and radiofrequency (RF).

METHODS

The explorative study included 47 patients and was performed as a prospective, monocentric, randomized, three-arm parallel-group design trial with a prior 12 weeks observation period. Treatment arms were IPL and RF monotherapies or IPL + RF combination therapy. After 12 weeks, all patients received IPL + RF for additional 12 weeks (cross-over). Primary endpoint was the change in active lesion numbers, secondary endpoint the change in Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI).

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, active lesion counts of the IPL + RF group decreased more than in the IPL group (p = .044); the decrease in DLQI was significantly higher in the IPL + RF and RF groups compared to IPL. Prolonged 24-week treatment with IPL + RF obtained better results as 12 weeks. Overall, disease burden after 24 weeks of treatment compared to disease fluctuation during the observation period was significantly lower (change in active lesions -3.6, p = .001; in DLQI -5.2, p = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

IPL + RF treatment appears to represent a promising therapeutic option that leads to reduction of disease activity without severe side effects.

[Surgical treatment options for hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa]

Hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS/AI) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Therapy consists of conservative and surgical treatment options. In Hurley stages II and III, surgical intervention is regarded as the method of choice for areas with irreversible tissue destruction. Resection techniques with different grades of invasiveness are described in the literature. Nevertheless, there is no generally accepted concept regarding resection and reconstruction techniques or specific postoperative care. Due to lack of definitions of recurrence after surgery and poor study quality, recurrence rates are difficult to determine.

[Radical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: Comparison of the use of the artificial dermis and pedicled perforator flaps]

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to compare the use of artificial dermal and perforator flap after radical surgery of severe axillary and perineal hidradenitis suppurativa disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data on postoperative outcomes, scar assessment (POSAS) and quality of life (DLQI, SF-36) were collected during consultation or by phone call. Forty-seven patients were included in our study between January 2015 and September 2017, including 27 patients in the artificial dermal group and 20 patients in the perforator flap group.

RESULTS

The quality of life assessment by the SF-36 questionnaire showed a significant increase in quality of life in both groups (P<0.05), higher in the perforating flap group (P<0.001). The DLQI questionnaire showed a decrease in the impact of MV on quality of life in both groups, which was greater in the perforator flap group (P<0.05). The scarring assessment by the POSAS patient and observer questionnaire showed a better overall opinion in the perforator flap group (P<0.001). In the perforator flap group, the total hospital stay and healing time was shorter (P<0.001) and the return to work was faster (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The artificial dermis and the perforator flaps are very useful coverage solutions after radical surgery of hidradenitis suppurativa. The use of perforator flaps, however, seems more interesting while simplifying the post-operative course.

The Treatment of Genitoperineal Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Review of the Literature

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the axilla, genitals, perineum, and perianal regions. The pathophysiology of hidradenitis suppurativa is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment involving medical and surgical management when indicated. We describe our multidisciplinary protocol for treatment, which includes rheumatology-monitored immunotherapy, medical management, wide surgical resection, wound care, and reconstruction. The multidisciplinary care team includes rheumatology, wound care, and reconstructive urologic surgery. Surgical management includes wide local surgical resection, negative pressure dressing, delayed reconstruction, and perioperative immunotherapy. Multimodal treatment with surgical, medical, wound, and immunotherapy care is vital to successful treatment.

Current and future treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

This scholarly review on the current and future treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) focuses on medical and surgical treatment options, while novel pipeline drugs are also discussed. Treatment goals are to limit the incidence and duration of flares, reducing inflammation and suppuration, achieving local cure after surgery and, most importantly, to improve the quality of life of patients with HS. The type of medication and/or surgery should be chosen based on the stage of the disease and the degree of inflammation. However, the lack of a simple scoring system and the lack of clear surgical outcome definitions hamper the interpretation of treatment efficacy and the comparison between different treatment strategies. The therapeutic pipeline for HS is gradually expanding, and will probably lead to a broader panel of more effective therapeutic options.

Radical resection and local coverage of hidradenitis suppurativa - acne inversa: analysis of results

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the primary outcome of local complications and late recurrence in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa undergoing radical resection and specific reconstruction. Methods: we conducted a retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients attended by the Plastic Surgery Service of the Clinics Hospital, Medical School, USP, between 2010 and 2016. We included patients who underwent radical resection of hidradenitis suppurativa in advanced stage and reconstruction through primary closure, grafts or flaps. Results: we analyzed 34 lesions in 19 patients, of which 64.5% had local complications, though with 73.5% efficient healing after 12 weeks postoperatively. We observed late recurrence in 47%, but in isolation, 22.2% of the reconstructions with locoregional flaps had recurrence after one year. Conclusion: extensive and radical resection of the disease associated with locoregional flap coverage (pedicled or perforating) has been shown to be the best management in terms of late results.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Case Study

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful and debilitating, chronic inflammatory disease affecting the skin bearing apocrine glands. HS causes painful abscesses and nodules that can eventually progress to interconnected sinus tracts, scarring, and contractures of the skin. There is no definitive cure for HS, but multiple treatment strategies are available to patients. Treatments range from meticulous hygiene of the affected area to wide surgical excision of all involved tissue. This case study discusses the pathophysiology of the disease, severity staging, treatment options, and a patient case.

Longitudinal observational study of hidradenitis suppurativa: impact of surgical intervention with adjunctive biologic therapy

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis supppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the apocrine sweat glands affecting 1-4% of the population. While surgical excision is a mainstay of therapy, lesions often recur. Biologic therapies, including tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-12/23 inhibitors, are effective for mild to moderate HS. However, longitudinal studies investigating biologic therapy in conjunction with surgery are limited. The purpose of this analysis was to investigate impact of surgery and biologic therapy on HS disease activity.

METHODS

Data from 68 HS patients were analyzed. Outcome measures included hidradenitis suppurativa Sartorius Score (HSS), active nodule (AN) count, Hurley stage, and probability of achieving 75% reduction in active nodule count (AN75).

RESULTS

Mean age was 40 ± 14 years; 66% were female and 72% were African American. Mean disease duration was 10 years, and Hurley stage III disease was seen in 63% of patients. Patients who received biologics had a larger drop in HSS and AN count than those who never received biologics (P = 0.002). Biologic treatment was associated with average reduction in 22 (15-29) HSS points (P < 0.0001). The effect of biologics was greater in patients who also underwent surgery (P = 0.013). Timing of biologics relative to surgery did not impact efficacy. Patients who received HS surgery with biologic therapy were most likely to achieve the AN75 (P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

In this diverse cohort of patients with severe HS, biologic therapy was associated with a more rapid decline in disease activity, with the greatest effect in patients who also underwent HS surgery.

Review of Current Immunologic Therapies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory disease of apocrine gland-bearing skin which affects approximately 1–4% of the population. The disease is more common in women and patients of African American descent and approximately one-third of patients report a family history. Obesity and smoking are known risk factors, but associations with other immune disorders, especially inflammatory bowel disease, are also recognized. The pathogenesis of HS is poorly understood and host innate or adaptive immune response, defective keratinocyte function, and the microbial environment in the hair follicle and apocrine gland have all been postulated to play a role in disease activity. While surgical interventions can be helpful to reduce disease burden, there is a high recurrence rate. Increasingly, data supports targeted immune therapy for HS, and longitudinal studies suggest benefit from these agents, both when used alone and as an adjunct to surgical treatments. The purpose of this review is to outline the current data supporting use of targeted immune therapy in HS management.