Features Associated With Quality of Life Impairment in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients

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.

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.

S2k‐Leitlinie zur Therapie der Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa – Kurzfassung

Die S2k‐Leitlinie der Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa (HS/AI) soll eine akzeptierte Entscheidungshilfe für die Auswahl/Durchführung einer geeigneten/suffizienten Therapie liefern. Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa ist eine chronisch‐rezidivierende, entzündliche, potenziell mutilierende Hauterkrankung des terminalen Haartalgdrüsenapparats, mit schmerzhaften, entzündlichen Läsionen in den apokrinen drüsenreichen Körperregionen. Ihre Punktprävalenz in Deutschland ist 0,3%, sie wird mit einer Verspätung von 10,0 ± 9,6 Jahren diagnostiziert. Abnormale Differenzierung der Keratinozyten des Haartalgdrüsenapparats und eine begleitende Entzündung bilden die zentrale pathogenetische Grundlage. Primäre HS/AI‐Läsionen sind entzündliche Knoten, Abszesse und drainierende Tunnel. Rezidive in den letzten 6 Monaten mit mindestens zwei Läsionen an den Prädilektionsstellen verweisen auf eine HS/AI mit einer 97‐prozentigen Genauigkeit. HS/AI‐Patienten leiden an einer deutlichen Einschränkung der Lebensqualität. Zur korrekten Therapieentscheidung sollen Klassifikation und Aktivitätsbewertung mit einem validierten Instrument erfolgen, wie dem International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scoring System (IHS4). Hidradenitis suppurativa/Acne inversa wird nach der Ausprägung der nachweisbaren Entzündung in zwei Formen eingeteilt: aktive, entzündliche (milde, mittelschwere und schwere nach IHS4) und vorwiegend inaktive, nicht entzündliche (Hurley‐Grad‐I, ‐II und ‐III) HS/AI. Orale Tetrazykline oder eine 5‐tägige intravenöse Therapie mit Clindamycin sind mit der Effektivität von Clindamycin/Rifampicin vergleichbar. Subkutan applizierbares Adalimumab, Secukinumab und Bimekizumab sind für die Therapie der HS/AI zugelassen. Für die vorwiegend nicht entzündliche Erkrankungsform stehen verschiedene operative Verfahren zur Verfügung. Medikamentöse/chirurgische Kombinationen gelten als ganzheitliches Therapieverfahren.

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.

S2k guideline for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa / acne inversa - Short version

The S2k guideline on hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS/AI) aims to provide an accepted decision aid for the selection/implementation of appropriate/sufficient therapy. HS/AI is a chronic recurrent, inflammatory, potentially mutilating skin disease of the terminal hair follicle-glandular apparatus, with painful, inflammatory lesions in the apocrine gland-rich regions of the body. Its point prevalence in Germany is 0.3%, it is diagnosed with a delay of 10.0 ± 9.6 years. Abnormal differentiation of the keratinocytes of the hair follicle-gland apparatus and accompanying inflammation form the central pathogenetic basis. Primary HS/AI lesions are inflammatory nodules, abscesses and draining tunnels. Recurrences in the last 6 months with at least 2 lesions at the predilection sites point to HS/AI with a 97% accuracy. HS/AI patients suffer from a significant reduction in quality of life. For correct treatment decisions, classification and activity assessment should be done with a validated tool, such as the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scoring System (IHS4). HS/AI is classified into two forms according to the degree of detectable inflammation: active, inflammatory (mild, moderate, and severe according to IHS4) and predominantly inactive, non-inflammatory (Hurley grade I, II and III) HS/AI. Oral tetracyclines or 5-day intravenous therapy with clindamycin are equal to the effectiveness of clindamycin/rifampicin. Subcutaneously administered adalimumab, secukinumab and bimekizumab are approved for the therapy of HS/AI. Various surgical procedures are available for the predominantly non-inflammatory disease form. Drug/surgical combinations are considered a holistic therapy method.

The mind-skin connection: A narrative review exploring the link between inflammatory skin diseases and psychological stress

Inflammatory skin diseases are known to negatively impact patient psychology, with individuals experiencing higher rates of stress and subsequent diminished quality of life, as well as mental health issues including anxiety and depression. Moreover, increased psychological stress has been found to exacerbate existing inflammatory skin diseases. The association between inflammatory skin diseases and psychological stress is a timely topic, and a framework to better understand the relationship between the two that integrates available literature is needed. In this narrative review article, we discuss potential neurobiological mechanisms behind psychological stress due to inflammatory skin diseases, focusing mainly on proinflammatory cytokines in the circulating system (the brain-gut-skin communications) and the default mode network in the brain. We also discuss potential descending pathways from the brain that lead to aggravation of inflammatory skin diseases due to psychological stress, including the central and peripheral hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axes, peripheral nerves and the skin barrier function.

Patient-reported assessment of medical care for chronic inflammatory skin diseases: an enterprise-based survey

Background

Chronic inflammatory skin diseases (CISDs) are among the most common diseases in the Western world. Current estimates of medical care for CISDs are primarily based on surveys among patients in medical care facilities and on health insurance data.

Aim

Survey-based examination to what extent CISD patients in health-aware environment consider their skin disease to be controlled.

Methods

The survey of CISD patients was carried out in 2022 among the employees of a pharmaceutical company located in Germany and Switzerland. Software-based, anonymous, self-reported questionnaires were used.

Results

The number of employees, who answered the questionnaire, was 905. Of these, 222 participants (24.5%) reported having at least one CISD. 28.7% of participants with CISD described their disease as being hardly or not controlled. Regarding the nature of disease, more than one third of participants suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) or psoriasis fell into the hardly/not controlled category. In contrast, the largest proportion of participants with chronic spontaneous urticaria (43%) or atopic dermatitis (42%) considered their CISD to be completely or well controlled. Only 35.5% of CISD sufferers stated that they were currently under medical care for their skin condition. Being under medical care, however, had no influence on the extent CISD sufferers considered their skin disease to be controlled. The number of active CISD episodes but not the total number of symptomatic days per year was negatively associated with poor disease control (p = 0.042 and p = 0.856, respectively). Poor disease control had a negative effect on the personal and professional lives of those affected, as deduced from its positive association with the extent of daily activity impairment and presenteeism (p = 0.005 and p = 0.005, respectively). Moreover, 41.4 and 20.7% of participants with hardly/not controlled disease stated that their CISD had a moderate and severe or very severe impact on their overall lives (p < 0.001), respectively. A severe or very severe impact of their CISD on their overall life was most commonly reported by participants with HS.

Conclusion

Medical care for CISDs, even in an environment with high socio-economic standard and high health-awareness, still appears to be limited and has a negative impact on individuals and society.

Tape strips detect molecular alterations and cutaneous biomarkers in skin of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has a high unmet need for better treatments. Biopsies are considered the gold standard for studying molecular alterations in skin. A reproducible, minimally invasive approach is needed for longitudinal monitoring in trials and in pediatric populations.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether skin tape strips can detect molecular alterations in HS and identify biomarkers of disease activity.

METHODS

We performed RNA sequencing on tape strips collected from lesional and healthy-appearing (nonlesional) HS skin (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 21). We correlated the expression of skin biomarkers between tape strips and a previously published gene-signature of HS biopsies.

RESULTS

Tape strips detected upregulation of known HS biomarkers (eg, Interleukin[IL]-17A) in nonlesional and/or lesional skin and also identified novel clinically actionable targets, including OX40 and JAK3. The expression of Th17 and tumor necrosis factor-α pathways were highly correlated between tape strips and biopsies. HS clinical severity was significantly associated with expression of biomarkers (eg tumor necrosis factor-α , IL-17 A/F, OX40, JAK1-3, IL-4R) in HS lesional and/or nonlesional skin.

LIMITATIONS

Sample size. Tape stripping is limited in depth.

CONCLUSION

This study validates tape strips as a minimally-invasive approach to identify cutaneous biomarkers in HS. This provides a novel avenue for monitoring treatment efficacy and a potential step toward individualized therapy in HS.

Hidradenitis suppurativa associated telomere-methylome dysregulations in blood

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic debilitating disease with a significant burden of both organic and psychological comorbidities. It has been shown that certain telomere-related genes (TRGs) affect a wide range of diseases, including HS and its associated comorbidities, but their exact role in HS pathogenesis is still unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether TRG methylomes can be used as biomarkers in HS.

METHODS

Using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array, we examined methylation variations associated with TRGs in HS cases and age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched healthy controls. The study utilized integrated bioinformatics statistical methods, such as a false discovery rate (FDR), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and principal component analysis.

RESULTS

There were a total of 585 different differentially methylated CpG sites identified in 585 TRGs associated with HS (474 hypomethylated and 111 hypermethylated) (FDR p-value < 0.05). A number of these CpGs have been identified as being involved in increased pain sensitivity including EPAS1, AHR, CSNK1D, DNMT1, IKBKAP, NOS3, PLCB1 and PRDM16 genes; GABRB3 as a potential alcohol addiction marker; DDB1, NSMCE2 and HNRNPA2B1 associated with cancers. Pathway analysis identified 67 statistically significant pathways, including DNA repair, telomere maintenance, mismatch repair and cell cycle control (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The disruption of TRGs leads to the shortening of telomeres, which is associated with HS progression, ageing, cellular senescence and an increased risk of various diseases, including cancer and associated comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and inflammatory disorders. Further research is necessary to better understand the underlying mechanisms and establish causal links between TRGs and HS. The present study is the first effort to comprehend potential pathomechanisms of sporadic HS cases concentrating on PBMC methylome since ours.

Burden of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Literature Review of Patient Reported Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has a profound negative impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Here we summarize the evidence on HRQoL and Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) in patients with HS in real-world settings by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) of observational studies.

METHODS

Data sources included MEDLINE, Embase & PsycINFO between January 1, 2010 and August 29, 2021, and conference proceedings between 2019 and 2021. Identified abstracts were reviewed and screened independently by two reviewers. Eligibility criteria included patients with HS of any severity, sample size ≥ 100, reporting PROs including HRQoL measures. Included studies were critically appraised.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight observational studies matched inclusion criteria. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was the most commonly utilized instrument: 57% of included studies reported mean baseline DLQI scores, ranging between 8.4 and 16.9, indicating a very large impact on the patients' HRQoL. Higher scores were reported with increasing disease severity and among female patients. Pain was assessed mostly by an 11-point (0-10) numeric rating scale (NRS) with a mean baseline score ranging from 3.6 to 7.7 indicating moderate to high pain levels. There was a negative impact of HS on patients' psychological well-being, based on PRO scores related to depression and anxiety. A high proportion of sexual dysfunction was reported, with a larger impact on women than men. Work productivity and leisure activity were consistently found to be impaired in patients with HS.

CONCLUSIONS

All included studies reported a negative impact of HS on patients' lives. A diverse set of disease- and non-disease-specific PRO instruments were utilized highlighting the need for more consistent use of HS-specific validated PRO instruments to assess the impact of HS on the different aspects of patients' HRQoL to allow for data to be more meaningfully interpreted and compared in real-world settings. Patients with HS need better disease management approaches that address the observed low quality of life.

[Translated article] Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists for Treating Obesity in Patients With Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases

Psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa are often associated with obesity. Because chronic low-grade inflammation underlies these 2 diseases, they can progress to more severe forms in patients with obesity if weight-reduction measures are not taken. This review covers pharmacologic alternatives for treating obesity, with emphasis on the benefits associated with the novel use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists that act on satiety receptors. These drugs have led to greater weight loss in clinical trials and real-world settings than orlistat, which until recently was the only drug approved for treating obesity in the European Union. Although experience with GLP-1 agonists in patients with obesity and inflammatory skin diseases is currently scarce, the promising results reported suggest they may offer a useful tool for managing obesity.

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists for Treating Obesity in Patients With Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases

Psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa are often associated with obesity. Because chronic low-grade inflammation underlies these 2 diseases, they can progress to more severe forms in patients with obesity if weight-reduction measures are not taken. This review covers pharmacologic alternatives for treating obesity, with emphasis on the benefits associated with the novel use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists that act on satiety receptors. These drugs have led to greater weight loss in clinical trials and real-world settings than orlistat, which until recently was the only drug approved for treating obesity in the European Union. Although experience with GLP-1 agonists in patients with obesity and inflammatory skin diseases is currently scarce, the promising results reported suggest they may offer a useful tool for managing obesity.

Biology of Interleukin-17 and Novel Therapies for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Skin disorders affect ∼40% of the human population. One of the most debilitating cutaneous disorders is Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a noncommunicable chronic inflammatory disease with an estimated global prevalence of 0.4% to 2.5%. In January 2011, high levels of IL-17 were discovered in skin lesions of HS patients. In the following years, translational and clinical research led to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HS. In June 2023, more than 12 years after the initial note, secukinumab, an anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody, was approved for the treatment of moderate to severe HS. This is the next milestone in improving the treatment of these patients after the approval of the anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody adalimumab in 2015. In this review article, we present the IL-17 pathway in HS and discuss the use of secukinumab as a therapeutic option for this disease. Our review starts with a description of the epidemiology, clinical features, etiology, and pathogenesis of HS. An overview of the IL-17/IL-17 receptor system in general and a detailed description of the known facts about the expression and action of IL-17 in HS follow. Afterward, we consider the results of clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of IL-17 inhibitors in HS. Finally, a comparison is made between secukinumab and adalimumab and the characteristics of the patients that may be particularly suitable for each of these biologics are described.

What should a surgeon know about hidradenitis suppurativa?

Otherwise known as Verneuil's disease, hidradenitis suppurative (HS) is a severe dermatosis of heterogeneous appearance affecting 1% of the population. Its pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving genetic predisposition, inflammatory disorder and environmental elements. Its diagnosis is based on the association of three clinical characteristics: characteristic lesions, typical localizations, and the chronic and recurrent nature of the lesions. Given its diversified aspects, diagnosis can be difficult to achieve. As its manifestations often include abscesses, it is important for the surgeon to know how to detect this pathology. The development of biologics has improved treatment of this disease, treatment that necessitates a multidisciplinary medical and surgical approach involving dermatologists and proctologists as well as surgeons. The objective of this report is to synthesize what a surgeon will need to know so as effectively treat HS patients.

Molecular and functional changes in neutrophilic granulocytes induced by nicotine: a systematic review and critical evaluation

Background

Over 1.1 billion people smoke worldwide. The alkaloid nicotine is a prominent and addictive component of tobacco. In addition to tumors and cardiovascular disorders, tobacco consumption is associated with a variety of chronic-inflammatory diseases. Although neutrophilic granulocytes (neutrophils) play a role in the pathogenesis of many of these diseases, the impact of nicotine on neutrophils has not been systematically reviewed so far.

Objectives

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the direct influence of nicotine on human neutrophil functions, specifically on cell death/damage, apoptosis, chemotaxis, general motility, adhesion molecule expression, eicosanoid synthesis, cytokine/chemokine expression, formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), phagocytosis, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), net antimicrobial activity, and enzyme release.

Material and methods

This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed in the databases NCBI Pubmed® and Web of Science™ in February 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised English written research articles, showing in vitro studies on the direct impact of nicotine on specified human neutrophil functions.

Results

Of the 532 originally identified articles, data from 34 articles were finally compiled after several evaluation steps. The considered studies highly varied in methodological aspects. While at high concentrations (>3 mmol/l) nicotine started to be cytotoxic to neutrophils, concentrations typically achieved in blood of smokers (in the nmol/l range) applied for long exposure times (24-72h) supported the survival of neutrophils. Smoking-relevant nicotine concentrations also increased the chemotaxis of neutrophils towards several chemoattractants, elevated their production of elastase, lipocalin-2, CXCL8, leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2, and reduced their integrin expression. Moreover, while nicotine impaired the neutrophil phagocytotic and anti-microbial activity, a range of studies demonstrated increased NET formation. However, conflicting effects were found on ROS generation, selectin expression and release of β-glucuronidase and myeloperoxidase.

Conclusion

Nicotine seems to support the presence in the tissue and the inflammatory and selected tissue-damaging activity of neutrophils and reduces their antimicrobial functions, suggesting a direct contribution of nicotine to the pathogenesis of chronic-inflammatory diseases via influencing the neutrophil biology.

The genetic aspects of hidradenitis suppurativa

Genetic aspects have a substantial role in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) pathogenesis. A positive family history of HS occurs in about one-third of HS cases and is significantly higher in patients with early onset of the disease. Recent twin studies have shown a high heritability in HS, fortifying the importance of genetic factors in disease pathogenesis. Based on existing knowledge on the genomics of HS, the disease can be categorized as familial HS, sporadic, syndromic HS, and "HS plus" associated with other syndromes. In familial HS, autosomal dominant transmission is proposed, and monogenic inheritance is rare. This monogenic trait is related to mutations of γ-secretase component genes and Notch signaling or defects in inflammasome function. With newly discovered gene mutations, such as those related to innate and adaptive immunity, skin microbiome, inflammasome, epidermal homeostasis, and keratinization pathway, we can define HS as a polygenic, multifactorial, autoinflammatory disease. To fully elucidate the genetic aspects of HS, we need extensive, long-term global collaborations.

Targeting Metabolic Syndrome in Hidradenitis Suppurativa by Phytochemicals as a Potential Complementary Therapeutic Strategy

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the appearance of painful inflamed nodules, abscesses, and pus-draining sinus tracts in the intertriginous skin of the groins, buttocks, and perianal and axillary regions. Despite its high prevalence of ~0.4-1%, therapeutic options for HS are still limited. Over the past 10 years, it has become clear that HS is a systemic disease, associated with various comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its sequelae. Accordingly, the life expectancy of HS patients is significantly reduced. MetS, in particular, obesity, can support sustained inflammation and thereby exacerbate skin manifestations and the chronification of HS. However, MetS actually lacks necessary attention in HS therapy, underlining the high medical need for novel therapeutic options. This review directs attention towards the relevance of MetS in HS and evaluates the potential of phytomedical drug candidates to alleviate its components. It starts by describing key facts about HS, the specifics of metabolic alterations in HS patients, and mechanisms by which obesity may exacerbate HS skin alterations. Then, the results from the preclinical studies with phytochemicals on MetS parameters are evaluated and the outcomes of respective randomized controlled clinical trials in healthy people and patients without HS are presented.

Obesity and hidradenitis suppurativa: targeting meta-inflammation for therapeutic gain

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of the pilosebaceous unit. The typical patient with HS is characterized as someone with obesity, who smokes and who has nodules, abscesses and/or draining tunnels predominantly distributed in intertriginous skin. It has been established that lifestyle and genetic factors are the main pathophysiological drivers of HS. In this critical review, we explore the interrelatedness of meta-inflammation, obesity and HS and discuss if and how this relationship may be manipulated for a therapeutic end.

Blood T Helper Memory Cells: A Tool for Studying Skin Inflammation in HS?

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful lesions on intertriginous body areas such as the axillary, inguinal, and perianal sites. Given the limited treatment options for HS, expanding our knowledge of its pathogenetic mechanisms is a prerequisite for novel therapeutic developments. T cells are assumed to play a crucial role in HS pathogenesis. However, it is currently unknown whether blood T cells show specific molecular alterations in HS. To address this, we studied the molecular profile of CD4⁺ memory T (Th_mem) cells purified from the blood of patients with HS and matched healthy participants. About 2.0% and 1.9% of protein-coding transcripts were found to be up- and down-regulated in blood HS Th_mem cells, respectively. These differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) are known to be involved in nucleoside triphosphate/nucleotide metabolic processes, mitochondrion organization, and oxidative phosphorylation. The detected down-regulation of transcripts involved in oxidative phosphorylation suggest a metabolic shift of HS Th_mem cells towards glycolysis. The inclusion of transcriptome data from skin from HS patients and healthy participants in the analyses revealed that in HS skin lesions, the expression pattern of transcripts identified as DETs in blood HS Th_mem cells was very similar to the expression pattern of the totality of protein-coding transcripts. Furthermore, there was no significant association between the extent of the expressional changes in the DETs of blood HS Th_mem cells and the extent of the expressional changes in these transcripts in HS skin lesions compared to healthy donor skin. Additionally, a gene ontology enrichment analysis did not demonstrate any association of the DETs of blood HS Th_mem cells with skin disorders. Instead, there were associations with different neurological diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and thermogenesis. The levels of most DETs linked to neurological diseases showed a positive correlation to each other, suggesting common regulatory mechanisms. In summary, the transcriptomic changes in blood Th_mem cells observed in patients with manifest cutaneous HS lesions do not appear to be characteristic of the molecular changes in the skin. Instead, they could be useful for studying comorbidities and identifying corresponding blood biomarkers in these patients.

YouTube as a Source of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patient Education: A Social Media Content Analysis

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and painful skin condition that is difficult to treat. Patients commonly navigate YouTube's platform for insight into different treatment options; thus, we analyzed the content and quality of the top 100 HS videos to assess which treatment options were most favored. Our study indicated a growing number of informational videos on the platform over 10 years, with the majority of the content from the United States. Surgical videos had higher view counts than nonsurgical ones, even though the level of engagement measured by likes and comments was similar between the two. There were no differences in the presented tone between the two categories. Overall, YouTube videos have a moderate quality with no serious shortcomings based on a previously validated DISCERN instrument score. Healthcare professionals treating HS patients should continue to direct patients to evidenced-based sources of reliable information on their condition.

A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate the Factors Affecting the Dermatology Life Quality Index in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. Multiple factors affect the disease's course and severity. HS is a debilitating disease and often recalcitrant to treatment, resulting in a deterioration of quality of life; hence, there is a need to evaluate the factors affecting the quality of life in patients with HS.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to evaluate the various demographic and disease-related factors that affect the quality of life of patients with HS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospectively scored questionnaire-based observational study. Data from 30 patients with HS were analyzed for the association of disease-related factors like Hurley's staging, site, duration, past history, and comorbidities with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

RESULTS

A statistically significant relationship was found between DLQI and Hurley staging (p=0.000). The most common sites involved were the axilla and inguinal regions. Among the sites involved, the neck (p=0.002), abdomen (p=0.002), back (p=0.002), thighs (p=0.042), and gluteal (p=0.000) regions have a statistically significant association with DLQI. Prior histories of rheumatoid arthritis, scarring, surgery, lymphadenitis, and pilonidal sinus showed a statistically significant association with DLQI.

CONCLUSION

The disease severity significantly hampers the quality of life of patients with HS. The disease site and presence of other comorbidities also influence the outcome. Our study will help healthcare providers better understand and fulfill the needs of patients suffering from HS.

The impact of surgical interventions on the psychosocial well-being of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Depending on disease severity, a combination of conservative and surgical treatments is necessary. This analysis aimed to determine the impact of surgical interventions on patient psychosocial well-being.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a prospective, noninterventional, multicenter study. The medical history, medical examination, and patient-reported outcomes, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the Short Form-12 Health Survey, were collected from 481 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

RESULTS

Among all patients with hidradenitis suppurativa included in this study, 74.2% reported surgery before study inclusion, of whom 92.4% could identify surgery type and location. Although adjusted for confounding factors, such as disease severity and activity, the aforementioned patient reported outcomes, did not vary significantly between groups of patients with different techniques and number of prior surgical intervention. However, patients without any prior surgical intervention yielded significantly better scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, previous surgery was associated with worse outcomes in anxiety, depression, and quality of life, showing the apparent need of psychological support. It remains unclear whether the morbidity of surgical procedures or a possible higher severity score in patients undergoing surgery is responsible.

External Validation of the IHS4-55 in a European Antibiotic-Treated Hidradenitis Suppurativa Cohort

BACKGROUND

Previously, a new dichotomous outcome was developed, calculated as 55% reduction in the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa 4 (IHS4-55) score. It was validated in datasets of adalimumab and placebo-treated HS patients. External validation is an important aspect of clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to externally validate the novel dichotomous IHS4-55 in a non-biologic treated dataset of HS patients.

METHODS

Data from a previously published European-wide prospective clinical study of antibiotic treatment of HS patients were used to assess the association of IHS4-55 achievement with individual reduction in inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and draining tunnels. Moreover, the associations between IHS4-55 positivity and achievement of the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) Pain, and NRS Pruritus were analyzed.

RESULTS

Data were obtained from 283 individual patients, of which 36.4% (103/283) were treated with clindamycin and rifampicin and 63.6% (180/283) with tetracyclines for 12 weeks. Achievers of the IHS4-55 demonstrated a significant reduction the counts of inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and draining tunnels (all p < 0.001). Additionally, IHS4-55 achievers had an odds ratio for achieving the MCID of DLQI, NRS Pain, and NRS Pruritus of 2.16 (95% CI 1.28-3.65, p < 0.01), 1.79 (95% CI 1.10-2.91, p < 0.05), and 1.95 (95% CI 1.18-3.22, p < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the external validity of the novel IHS4-55 by demonstrating a significant association between IHS4-55 achievement and a reduction in inflammatory lesion counts as well as achievement of MCIDs for DLQI, NRS Pain, and NRS Pruritus in an antibiotic-treated cohort. These findings support the use of the IHS4-55 as a novel primary outcome measure in clinical trials.

The impact of hidradenitis suppurativa on professional life

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects intertriginous skin.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent of work ability and productivity impairment as a result of HS in Germany.

METHODS

A prospective, multicentre, epidemiological, noninterventional study of patients with HS was conducted. Medical history, medical examination performed by dermatologists and patient-reported outcomes [Work Ability Index (WAI) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI)] were collected.

RESULTS

Of the 481 patients with HS included in the study, 99% were below the current statutory retirement age. In total, 53·3% of patients were working full time, 16·8% part time and 7·3% had retired. The unemployment rate was 12·6%, two times higher than in the general German population. Medical leave because of HS, within the last 6 months, was reported in 41·4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 36·9-46·0], with a duration of 39·3 days on average (95% CI 32·4-46·1). The mean HS-related WPAI absenteeism was 13.3% (95% CI 9·7-16·8), and the loss in productivity because of HS during working hours (WPAI presenteeism) was 25.2% (95% CI 21·8-28·6). Presenteeism was associated with HS disease severity. Overall work impairment because of HS was 33·4% (95% CI 29·3-37·6). The WAI score for patients was 32·2, ∼20% lower than for the average German employee. Only 62·8% of patients were relatively certain that they would be able to perform their work in the coming 2 years. Being more depressed and having more severe pain were associated with lower work ability and overall work impairment. The estimated annual loss of gross value added because of HS for Germany was ∼€12.6 billion (€3.3 billion related to a lower employment rate, €3.5 billion related to absenteeism and €5.8 billion related to presenteeism).

CONCLUSIONS

HS leads to a substantial decrease in work ability and productivity and considerable loss of gross value added. Impairment during working hours correlates with disease severity, underlining the socioeconomic importance of early and adequate treatment. Furthermore, decreased work ability and productivity is linked to depressed mood and severe pain, aspects that need more attention in patient care.

Initial validation of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life tool in a clinical trial setting

We tested a new patient-reported outcome tool, the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life (HiSQoL) questionnaire, which is designed to measure quality of life (QoL) in adults with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The HiSQoL demonstrated validity and reliability, and may be a useful tool for measuring QoL, especially in clinical trials testing new drugs in HS.

Factors Associated With Dermatologic Follow-up vs Emergency Department Return in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa After an Initial Emergency Department Visit

Importance

Emergency department (ED) visitation is common for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), whereas dermatology outpatient care is low. The reasons underlying this differential follow-up have not been elucidated.

Objective

To assess the interventions and patient factors associated with ED return following an initial ED visit for HS.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used data from the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid databases (trademark symbols retained per database owner requirement). An HS cohort was formed from patients who had 2 or more claims for HS during the study period of 2010 to 2019 and with at least 1 ED visit for their HS or a defined proxy. Data were analyzed from November 2021 to May 2022.

Exposures

Factors analyzed included those associated with the ED visit and patient characteristics.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were return to the ED or dermatology outpatient follow-up for HS or related proxy within 30 or 180 days of index ED visit.

Results

This retrospective cohort study included 20 269 patients with HS (median [IQR] age, 32 [25-41] years; 16 804 [82.9%] female patients), of which 7455 (36.8%) had commercial insurance and 12 814 (63.2%) had Medicaid. A total of 9737 (48.0%) patients had incision and drainage performed at the index ED visit, 14 725 (72.6%) received an oral antibiotic prescription, and 9913 (48.9%) received an opioid medication prescription. A total of 3484 (17.2%) patients had at least 1 return ED visit for HS or proxy within 30 days, in contrast with 483 (2.4%) who had a dermatology visit (P < .001). Likewise, 6893 (34.0%) patients had a return ED visit for HS or proxy within 180 days, as opposed to 1374 (6.8%) with a dermatology visit (P < .001). Patients with Medicaid and patients who had an opioid prescribed were more likely to return to the ED for treatment of their disease (odds ratio [OR], 1.48; 95% CI, 1.38-1.58; and OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.39-1.58, respectively, within 180 days) and, conversely, less likely to have dermatology follow-up (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.14-0.18; and OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71-0.91, respectively, within 180 days).

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study suggests that many patients with HS frequent the ED for their disease but are not subsequently seen in the dermatology clinic for ongoing care. The findings in this study raise the opportunity for cross-specialty interventions that could be implemented to better connect patients with HS to longitudinal care.

Sex-disaggregated population analysis in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, which affects both sexes.

OBJECTIVES

Identification of sex-specific risk factors, comorbidity, clinical manifestations, and treatments in HS patients.

METHODS

A non-interventional, cross-sectional, mono-centric study with 500 HS patients. All patients were examined by dermatologists. Prospectively collected demographic, anamnestic, clinical data, and blood parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age at HS onset and in disease duration between female and male patients. Furthermore, no differences regarding the family history for HS were found between sexes. Regarding further risk factors for HS, central obesity was more frequent in women while extensive cigarette smoking and acne vulgaris were more commonly found among male patients. Regarding comorbidity, lower HDL-levels were significantly more frequent in men. Female patients were found to suffer significantly more often from back pain, especially in the neck/shoulder region and lower back. Analyzing the clinical manifestation of HS, the groin was more frequently involved in women and the axillae in men. Women showed a higher number of skin sites with inflammatory nodules, whereas fistulas were observed more frequently in men. Nevertheless, there was no difference in HS treatment applied to female vs. male patients.

LIMITATIONS

Data were obtained from a mono-centric study.

CONCLUSION

Significant differences in HS risk factors, comorbidity, and clinical manifestation exist between female and male patients. Thus, sex-specific differences should be taken into account in the prevention as well as medical and surgical treatment of HS patients.

Sentiment analysis of tweets on alopecia areata, hidradenitis suppurativa, and psoriasis: Revealing the patient experience

Background

Chronic dermatologic disorders can cause significant emotional distress. Sentiment analysis of disease-related tweets helps identify patients' experiences of skin disease.

Objective

To analyze the expressed sentiments in tweets related to alopecia areata (AA), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and psoriasis (PsO) in comparison to fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods

This is a cross-sectional analysis of Twitter users' expressed sentiment on AA, HS, PsO, and FM. Tweets related to the diseases of interest were identified with keywords and hashtags for one month (April, 2022) using the Twitter standard application programming interface (API). Text, account types, and numbers of retweets and likes were collected. The sentiment analysis was performed by the R "tidytext" package using the AFINN lexicon.

Results

A total of 1,505 tweets were randomly extracted, of which 243 (16.15%) referred to AA, 186 (12.36%) to HS, 510 (33.89%) to PsO, and 566 (37.61%) to FM. The mean sentiment score was -0.239 ± 2.90. AA, HS, and PsO had similar sentiment scores (p = 0.482). Although all skin conditions were associated with a negative polarity, their average was significantly less negative than FM (p < 0.0001). Tweets from private accounts were more negative, especially for AA (p = 0.0082). Words reflecting patients' psychological states varied in different diseases. "Anxiety" was observed in posts on AA and FM but not posts on HS and PsO, while "crying" was frequently used in posts on HS. There was no definite correlation between the sentiment score and the number of retweets or likes, although negative AA tweets from public accounts received more retweets (p = 0.03511) and likes (p = 0.0228).

Conclusion

The use of Twitter sentiment analysis is a promising method to document patients' experience of skin diseases, which may improve patient care through bridging misconceptions and knowledge gaps between patients and healthcare professionals.

Analysis of alopecia areata surveys suggests a threshold for improved patient-reported outcomes

BACKGROUND

Although alopecia areata (AA) greatly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL), there is no adequate validation of AA-targeted QoL surveys in clinical trials, hindering sufficient representation of patient-reported outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

Better understanding of patient-reported outcomes may guide treatment goals and future clinical trials.

METHODS

In a recent randomized controlled trial testing dupilumab in AA, patients were administered the Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index (AA-QLI) and the Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale (AASIS) surveys, specifically evaluating QoL in patients with AA. An in-depth analysis was performed to assess the utility of these questionnaires in this patient population, both at baseline and after treatment, and to determine a threshold for improved patient-reported outcomes.

RESULTS

While AASIS correlated with baseline Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores and with therapeutic response, AA-QLI showed no correlation with AA severity before or after treatment. Itch strongly correlated with serum IgE levels across both surveys. Using various approaches to estimate a discriminative threshold for decreased impact of AA on QoL (by AASIS) following treatment, a SALT score of 20 points or less post-treatment was associated with improved patient-reported outcomes, including both AA-related symptoms and items within the daily activities/feelings domain such as 'feeling sad' and 'feeling anxious or worry'.

CONCLUSIONS

AASIS is better than AA-QLI to assess patient-reported outcomes. SALT ≤ 20 following treatment should be considered as a threshold for meaningful therapeutic outcome and as a clinical endpoint in future clinical trials for AA. What is already known about this topic? Alopecia areata greatly compromises quality of life, and affected patients have increased prevalences of depression, anxiety and social phobia. Despite the significant negative impact of the disease on patients' wellbeing, validation of targeted questionnaires in alopecia areata is lacking, and a therapeutic response threshold for improved patient-reported outcomes is unknown. What does this study add? This study investigated the utility of two different alopecia areata-targeted questionnaires - Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index and Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale (AASIS) - in a clinical trial setting. AASIS was found to correlate strongly with alopecia areata severity and clinical response. What are the clinical implications of this work? Patients with ≤ 20% scalp hair loss after treatment reported improvement in multiple quality-of-life items, suggesting this as a meaningful therapeutic outcome that may guide clinicians and improve the development of future clinical trials.

Phytotherapeuthics Affecting the IL-1/IL-17/G-CSF Axis: A Complementary Treatment Option for Hidradenitis Suppurativa?

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS; also designated as acne inversa) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by painful skin lesions that occur in the axillary, inguinal, gluteal and perianal areas of the body. These lesions contain recurring deep-seated, inflamed nodules and pus-discharging abscesses and fistulas. Affecting about 1% of the population, this common disease has gained appropriate clinical attention in the last years. Associated with numerous comorbidities including metabolic syndrome, HS is considered a systemic disease that severely impairs the quality of life and shortens life expectancy. Therapeutic options for HS are limited, comprising long-term antibiotic treatment, the surgical removal of affected skin areas, and neutralization of TNF-α, the only approved systemic treatment. Novel treatment options are needed to close the therapeutic gap. HS pathogenesis is increasingly better understood. In fact, neutrophilic granulocytes (neutrophils) seem to be decisive for the development of the purulent destructive skin inflammation in HS. Recent findings suggest a key role of the immune mediators IL-1β, IL-17A and G-CSF in the migration into and activation of neutrophils in the skin. Although phytomedical drugs display potent immunoregulatory properties and have been suggested as complementary therapy in several chronic disorders, their application in HS has not been considered so far. In this review, we describe the IL-1/IL-17/G-CSF axis and evaluate it as potential target for an integrated phytomedical treatment of HS.

Unmet Medical Needs in Chronic, Non-communicable Inflammatory Skin Diseases

An estimated 20-25% of the population is affected by chronic, non-communicable inflammatory skin diseases. Chronic skin inflammation has many causes. Among the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin diseases are atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria, lichen planus, and hidradenitis suppurativa, driven by a complex interplay of genetics and environmental factors. Autoimmunity is another important cause of chronic skin inflammation. The autoimmune response may be mainly T cell driven, such as in alopecia areata or vitiligo, or B cell driven in chronic spontaneous urticaria, pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases. Rare causes of chronic skin inflammation are autoinflammatory diseases, or rheumatic diseases, such as cutaneous lupus erythematosus or dermatomyositis. Whilst we have seen a significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment, several challenges remain. Especially for rarer causes of chronic skin inflammation, early diagnosis is often missed because of low awareness and lack of diagnostics. Systemic immunosuppression is the treatment of choice for almost all of these diseases. Adverse events due to immunosuppression, insufficient therapeutic responses and relapses remain a challenge. For atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, a broad spectrum of innovative treatments has been developed. However, treatment responses cannot be predicted so far. Hence, development of (bio)markers allowing selection of specific medications for individual patients is needed. Given the encouraging developments during the past years, we envision that many of these challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammatory skin diseases will be thoroughly addressed in the future.

Quality of Life of Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background 

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects the apocrine gland-bearing areas of the body. It initially presents as painful nodules that eventually develop into abscesses, draining sinuses, and scarring. These manifestations have physical and psychological impacts, which lead to poor quality of life. This study examined the association between quality of life and disease severity, as well as identified the areas of the body most affected by HS among patients in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study examined patients with HS who were seen at two dermatology outpatient clinics between December 2018 and March 2019. The patients completed a self-administered standardized questionnaire on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

Results

The average DLQI score was 15.39 ± 8.37. The majority of patients were classified as stage 3, which indicated that HS has a very large effect on quality of life. The right and left axillae were the most commonly affected areas of the body, with 80.6% of patients noting involvement. While the mean DLQI score was higher in males compared to females, there was no significant difference between the two groups (16.44 ± 9.01 vs. 13.08 ± 6.65; P = 0.248).

Conclusion

HS caused significant impairment in the quality of life of patients with HS in Saudi Arabia. The mean DLQI score in our study was higher than the score previously reported in the literature. Further studies may identify opportunities to provide additional awareness, care, and support for patients with HS in Saudi Arabia.

[Pathogenesis of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa]

Hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) has a multifactorial pathogenesis. In addition to a sporadic form, a familial form is reported in around 40% of patients, for whom an autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance with reduced gene penetrance is assumed. The phenotype of the disease with inflammatory nodules, abscesses and secreting sinus tracts suggests an infectious origin, but the exact role of the bacteria detected in HS pathogenesis remains unclear. Smoking and metabolic syndrome are regarded as important trigger factors in HS, with obesity and hormonal changes playing a pathogenic role in the latter. Ultimately, Toll-like receptors, antimicrobial peptides, immune cells and key cytokines are involved in the excessive inflammatory reaction of HS and are also the targets of future therapies.

Quality of Life in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: An Update

Knowledge on hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) is rapidly increasing. HS has a profound impact on patients and their family life. Several factors, such as comorbidities, unemployment and HS severity, make this impact even more severe. The most widely used instrument to measure this impact is the dermatology-specific DLQI. We also identified six HS-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments. Of them, HIDRAdisk, HSIA, HiSQOL and HSQoL-24 are better validated but there is still lack of experience of its use. Several treatment methods showed positive effect on patients’ HRQoL. Surgery remains a method with a substantial positive effect on HRQoL. Several studies confirming a positive effect of adalimumab on the HRQoL of patients with HS were published during the last three years. Data on the influence of several other biologics on HRQoL of HS patients are controversial or based on studies with a small number of patients.