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The coexistence of psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been described, but the association between these conditions is yet to be firmly established.To study the association between psoriasis and HS using a large-scale real-life computerized database.A cross-sectional study was conducted comparing the prevalence of HS among patients with psoriasis and among age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects.A total of 68,836 patients with psoriasis and 68,836 controls were included in the study. The prevalence of HS was increased in patients with psoriasis as compared to the control group (0.3% vs. 0.2%, respectively; OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.3; P0.001). In a multivariate analysis adjusting for smoking, obesity, and other comorbidities, psoriasis was still associated with HS (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.4-2.2; P0.001). Patients with coexistent psoriasis and HS were significantly younger (39.0±15.7 vs. 42.6±21.2 years; P=0.015) and had a higher prevalence of obesity (35.1% vs. 25.3%; P=0.001) and smoking (58.5% vs. 37.3%; P0.001) as compared to patients with psoriasis alone.Retrospective data collection.A positive association was observed between HS and psoriasis. Further longitudinal observational studies are necessary to establish these findings in other study populations.

IntroductionHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition characterized by inflammatory lesions that can cause pain, impaired physical activity, and reduced quality of life. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of risankizumab, a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits interleukin 23 by binding to its p19 subunit, for the treatment of HS.MethodsThis phase II multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study investigated the efficacy and safety of risankizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe HS. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive subcutaneous risankizumab 180mg; risankizumab 360mg; or placebo at weeks0, 1, 2, 4, and 12. Patients initially randomized to placebo received blinded risankizumab 360mg at weeks16, 17, and 18; patients initially randomized to risankizumab received blinded matching placebo at the same time points. From weeks20-60, all patients received open-label risankizumab 360mg every 8weeks. The primary endpoint was the achievement of HS Clinical Response (HiSCR) at week16. Safety was assessed by monitoring of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).ResultsA total of 243 patients were randomized (risankizumab 180mg, n = 80; risankizumab 360mg, n = 81; placebo, n = 82). HiSCR was achieved by 46.8% of patients with risankizumab 180mg, 43.4% with risankizumab 360mg, and 41.5% with placebo at week16. The primary endpoint was not met, and the study was terminated early. Incidence of TEAEs, severe TEAEs, TEAEs considered possibly related to study drug, and TEAEs leading to discontinuation of study drug were generally low and comparable across treatment groups.ConclusionRisankizumab does not appear to be an efficacious treatment for moderate-to-severe HS. Future studies to understand the complex molecular mechanisms underlying HS pathogenesis and develop improved therapies are warranted.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03926169.

Dowling Degos disease (DDD) is a rare genodermatosis that manifests itself as acquired, reticulated hyperpigmentation of the folds. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who presented since the age of 30 with hyperpigmented macules of reticulated appearance of vulvar, perianal and bilateral axillary location associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) at Hurley stage 2 of later onset. DDD is classically described in the flexural folds and, to our knowledge; less than a dozen cases of vulvar location are published in the literature. We postulate that DDD is responsible for the development of HS in susceptible patients. Indeed, this association seems to be explained by a common pathophysiological mechanism, targeting the Notch signalling pathway, involved in the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells that can induce the development of HS. DDD should be considered as a comorbid factor of HS.

ImportanceEmergency 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.ObjectiveTo assess the interventions and patient factors associated with ED return following an initial ED visit for HS.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis 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.ExposuresFactors analyzed included those associated with the ED visit and patient characteristics.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrimary 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.ResultsThis 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 P Conclusions and RelevanceThis 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.

ImportanceHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is associated with considerable diagnostic delay. Although most patients report adolescent onset, existing HS diagnostic criteria may not adequately capture disease in pediatric populations.ObjectivesTo determine the proportion of physician-diagnosed pediatric patients with HS who met diagnostic criteria, and describe demographics, disease characteristics, and diagnostic patterns among pediatric patients with HS.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this retrospective, cross-sectional study, electronic medical records from 2 sites of a single academic tertiary care center were included. Eligible patients were those born after January 1, 1993, and assigned International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions (ICD-9/10) codes for HS (ICD-9 705.83/ICD-10 L73.2) between January 1, 2012, and July 1, 2021. Patients were excluded if they were older than 18 years at diagnosis, had inaccessible diagnostic visit notes, or were unintentionally assigned an HS ICD code.ExposuresPediatric patients with HS.Main Outcomes and MeasuresFulfillment of diagnostic criteria in pediatric patients with HS.ResultsA total of 297 adolescents with HS were included in the study; 123 patients were female (78.1%), 78 self-identified as Black (26.3%), and 116 self-identified as Hispanic (39.1%). The median (IQR) age at diagnosis was 14.0 (13.0-16.0) years. Documentation from the diagnostic visit demonstrated that 127 (42.8%) patients did not meet all 3 major HS diagnostic criteria. Of these patients, 122 (96.1%) did not meet the recurrence interval criterion (≥2 lesions within 6 months). Overall, 96 patients who did not meet the recurrence interval criterion had documentation from additional visits in the health system; 59 (61.5%) had documentation of 1 or more additional lesions consistent with HS. Review of these additional records demonstrated that 26 of these 59 (44.1%) patients met the recurrence interval criterion after diagnosis, and 44 (74.6%) had recurrent lesions within a 1-year interval (median, 6.5 months; interquartile range, 3.5-12.2 months). Medical chart review was conducted from November 22, 2021, to January 12, 2022. Analysis was conducted from January 12, 2022, to January 15, 2022.Conclusions and RelevanceOverall, 118 (40%) of 297 pediatric patients with HS in this retrospective cross-sectional study did not meet all major diagnostic criteria at the time of diagnosis, largely due to failure to fulfill the 6-month recurrence interval criterion. Future studies are needed to determine the appropriate recurrence interval to facilitate timely diagnosis and promote clinical trial eligibility for pediatric patients with HS.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease influenced by genetics, non-genetic and environmental factors that modulate miRNA expression. Currently, no miRNA data are available for HS. In this study, we profiled DNA methylation patterns of miRNA genes associated with HS susceptibility.Identify miRNA gene methylation profiles associated with HS susceptibility. This study examined the methylation patterns of DNAs from 24 healthy controls and 24 patients with HS using Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip array analysis. Methylation patterns of miRNA genes were analysed using KEGG pathway analysis to explore the inversely correlated pathways regulated by miRNAs.We identified 60 CpG sites representing 65 unique microRNA genes including 54 hypomethylated and 6 hypermethylated CpGs as potentially associated with HS. Some of these CpGs were found to be critical for skin function, such as miR-29, miR-200, miR-205, miR-548 and miR-132. The miR-192 is implicated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The miR-200c gene was identified as a vital determinant in regulating skin repair after injury and may contribute to age-associated alterations in wound repair. miR-132 was significantly upregulated during the inflammation phase of wound repair, enhancing the activity of STAT3 and ERK pathways that promote keratinocyte proliferation.Epigenetically altered microRNA genes are implicated in wound healing, inflammation, keratinocyte proliferation and wound modulation. This is the first study to analyse methylation profiles of miRNA genes in the HS population, highlighting the unique role that miRNAs might play in diagnosing and treating HS.

Racial and ethnic disparities in dermatology negatively affect outcomes such as mortality and quality of life. Dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons should be familiar with disease-specific inequities that may influence their practice. The second article in this 2-part continuing medical education series highlights gaps in frequency, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes by race and ethnicity. We review cutaneous malignancies including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and inflammatory disorders including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, acne vulgaris, and rosacea.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory condition that presents a challenging reconstructive problem for plastic surgeons.The authors performed a retrospective chart review of hidradenitis suppurativa patients managed with surgical excision between 2005 and 2020 at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Tulane University Medical Center. Operative cases associated with the same hospitalization were organized into treatment episodes and assessed for patient demographics, operative techniques, and outcomes.A total of 181 patients, 435 cases and 316 treatment episodes (Brigham and Women's Hospital, n = 269; Tulane University Medical Center, n = 47), were identified across two diverse institutions. Their respective series showed comparable patient demographics, and 94 percent of the combined episodes achieved wound closure and healing during the study period. Several techniques of closure were identified, including immediate closure and site-specific methods, such as an expedited staged closure using internal negative-pressure wound therapy as a temporary bridge, "recycled" skin grafting, and repurposing iodoform wicks as an adjunct wound healing therapy to immediate closure.This large multi-institutional retrospective chart review on the plastic surgical management of hidradenitis suppurativa demonstrates that surgery is an effective therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa and captures a diversity of site-specific techniques that may serve as a foundation for future prospective studies and evidence-based guidelines for the use of various techniques to optimize patients' surgical outcomes.Therapeutic, IV.

Research interest in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) has grown exponentially over the past decades. Several groups have worked to develop novel scores that address the drawbacks of existing investigator-assessed and patient-reported outcome measures currently used in HS trials, clinical practice and research. In clinical trial settings, the drawbacks of the HiSCR have become apparent; mainly, it is lack of a dynamic measurement of draining tunnels. The newly developed (dichotomous) IHS4 and HASI-R are backed up by adequate validation data and are good contenders to become the new primary outcome measure in HS clinical trials. Patient-reported outcomes, as well as physician reported measures, are being developed by the HIdradenitis SuppuraTiva cORe outcomes set International Collaboration (HISTORIC). For example, the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life (HiSQOL) score is a validated measure of HS-specific quality of life and is already being used in many HS trials. Magnitude of pain measurement via a 0-10 numerical rating scale is well-established; however, consensus is still required to ensure consistent administration and interpretation of the instrument. A longitudinal measurement over multiple days rather than at one time point, such as for example the Pain Index could provide increased reliability and reduced recall bias. Ultimately, these newly developed scores and tools can be included in a standardized registry to be used in routine clinical practice.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin condition that is often considered a systemic disease due to its association with metabolic comorbidity.In this study, we aimed to identify differences in plasma lipidomic profiles between HS patients and control subjects.HS patients were recruited from a tertiary dermatological centre and demographic and comorbidity matched controls from the general population. A targeted lipidomic approach was performed to characterize over 700 lipid species representing 35 lipid classes/sub-classes. Linear regression models adjusted for confounding factors were used to compare the plasma lipidomic profiles of HS patients to controls. Ordinal regression models were used to study the association of lipids with disease activity and severity scores.60 HS patients and 73 control subjects were recruited. Differential levels (p 0.05) of 32 lipid species in HS patients compared to controls were observed, including a decrease in the long chain base d19:1 containing ceramides, and elevation of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DHET) oxylipins. These lipids along with several other molecules showed associations with Hurley, HS-PGA and disease activity scores.This study found mild changes in plasma lipidomic profiles, consistent with previous studies showing attenuated metabolomic changes in plasma as opposed to lesional skin. However, a number of lipid species were associated with increasing activity and severity of the disease. Further, the significant lipid species within the same class showed consistent trends of increase or decrease in HS as compared to controls.

Cutaneous damage caused by hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an important contributor to disease burden, independent of active lesions. Outcome measures used to specifically assess damage are becoming commonplace in the assessment of inflammatory diseases. However, no standardized method for assessing HS damage currently exists. The purpose of this study was to review outcome measures in HS that include constructs of both active disease and damage, review damage-specific instruments used in other inflammatory and destructive diseases, and review instruments used to assess scars of various aetiologies. This ultimately provides insight into how attributes of different tools can be applied to develop an outcome measure specific to HS damage. What is already known about this topic? Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition, which causes consequent cutaneous damage and scarring. Damage caused by HS is highly prevalent and an important contributor to its morbidity. Damage is an important component of inflammatory diseases that has proven its utility in a number of outcome measures; however, no standardized method for assessing HS damage currently exists. What does this study add? This narrative review assesses outcome measures used to measure damage in other inflammatory and destructive diseases. Instruments used to assess damage in other diseases can provide a starting point for the development of a damage outcome measure for HS.

RESUMO Introdução: A hidradenite é uma doença cutânea crônica, que acomete as regiões que abrigam as glândulas apócrinas. Tem uma prevalência estimada de 1% da população, com predileção pelo sexo feminino. Método: LMN, 48 anos, sexo feminino. Ao exame, a paciente apresentava nodulações palpáveis, coalescentes, dolorosas e uma área de fibrose e retração cicatricial circunjacente em ambas as axilas, principalmente em axila esquerda. Submetida a exérese ampla das lesões em axila e região torácica esquerda, sendo necessária a realização de um retalho fasciocutâneo de rotação, habitualmente usado em pacientes submetidas à quadrantectomia lateral. Resultados: Obteve-se um resultado estético satisfatório associado à preservação dos movimentos. Conclusão: Apesar de existirem poucos casos relatando o uso do retalho fasciocutâneo toracodorsal lateral, essa técnica mostrou ser excelente alternativa na reconstrução axilar, devido à facilidade de ressecção, boa cobertura da área receptora além de um resultado estético satisfatório. ABSTRACT Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin disease that affects the regions harboring the apocrine sweat glands. It has an estimated prevalence of 1% of the population and a preference for the female sex. Method: LMN, a 48-year-old female patient, presented, on examination, palpable, coalescent, painful nodules and a circumjacent area of fibrosis and scar retraction in both axillae, mainly in the left axilla. She was subjected to wide excision of the lesions at the axilla and left thoracic region, with a need for a rotational fasciocutaneous flap, usually used in patients who undergo lateral quadrantectomy. Results: A satisfactory aesthetic result was attained, together with the preservation of movements. Conclusion: Although there are few reported cases of the use of the lateral thoracodorsal fasciocutaneous flap, this technique is an excellent alternative in axillary reconstruction, owing to the ease of resection, good coverage of the receiving area, and the satisfactory aesthetic result.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is characterised by inflamed lesions that typically appear in apocrine-rich flexural areas. Although studies have reported clinical and epidemiological data from western countries, data from the Middle East are scarce. The aim of this study is to characterise the differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with HS of Arab and Jewish ancestry and review the clinical characteristics, the course of the disease, the comorbidities, and the response to treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective study. We collected clinical and demographic data from patient files between 2015–2018 at the Rambam Healthcare Campus dermatology clinic—a tertiary hospital located in the north of Israel. Our results were compared to those of a previously published Israeli control group registered in Clalit Health Services. Results: Of the 164 patients with HS, 96 (58.5%) were men and 68 (41.5%) were women. The average age at diagnosis was 27.5 years and the average latency between the onset and diagnosis of the disease was 4 years. We found a higher adjusted prevalence of HS in Arab patients (56%) than in their Jewish counterparts (44%). Gender, smoking, and obesity, as well as axilla and buttock lesions, were risk factors for severe HS, with no differences between ethnicities. No differences were documented in comorbidities and in response to adalimumab, with a high overall response rate of 83%. Conclusions: Our findings revealed differences between Arab and Jewish patients with HS in terms of incidence and gender predominance, while no differences were documented in comorbidities and response to adalimumab.

PurposeThe burden of different skin diseases may vary leading individuals to have different sensitivity to stress. Therefore, we compared the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and stress before and during the universal stress from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2-pandemic in individuals with and without hyperhidrosis, hidradenitis suppurativa, or psoriasis.MethodsThe study cohort was the Danish Blood Donor Study. Overall, 12,798 participants completed a baseline questionnaire before the pandemic, in 2018–2019, and a follow-up questionnaire during the pandemic, in 2020. Regression determined the association between the skin diseases and outcomes. Outcomes were the physical and mental component summary (MCS, PCS, respectively), which assess the mental and physical HRQoL, and the perceived stress scale, which assesses stress in the past four weeks.ResultsOverall, 1168 (9.1%) participants had hyperhidrosis, 363 (2.8%) had hidradenitis suppurativa, and 402 (3.1%) had psoriasis. At follow-up, the participants with hyperhidrosis had worse MCS (coefficient −0.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) −1.05, −0.13]) and higher odds of moderate-to-severe stress (odds ratio 1.37 [95% CI 1.13, 1.65]) and the participants with hidradenitis suppurativa worse PCS (coefficient −0.74 [95% CI −1.21, −0.27]) than the control groups. The associations were independent of baseline HRQoL, stress, the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale, and other covariables. Psoriasis was not associated with the outcomes.ConclusionIndividuals with hyperhidrosis or hidradenitis suppurativa experienced worse mental or physical well-being and individuals with hyperhidrosis also had higher stress during the pandemic compared to healthy individuals. This suggests that individuals with these skin diseases are particularly susceptible to external stress.

We report a clinical experience of treating concomitant atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) with dupilumab. This report is particularly noticeable in terms of disease severity and treatment duration compared to previous reported cases, suggesting long-term dupilumab therapy can contribute to disease control even in patients with severe HS.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by the formation of comedones, papules, nodules, abscesses and sinus tracts in the axillary, inframammary, groin, and gluteal areas. Up to 3.8% of the Canadian population has HS, though due to a lack of awareness of HS, many patients are initially misdiagnosed and do not receive adequate treatment early on in the disease course. Once a diagnosis of HS is made, developing an effective management plan can be a dilemma for many providers. There is significant variability in response to any given therapy within the HS patient population and many HS patients have other medical comorbidities which must be taken into consideration. The aim of this review is to provide a practical approach for all healthcare providers to diagnose and manage HS and its associated comorbidities. A sample electronic medical record template for HS management was developed by the Canadian Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation Executive Board and is intended for use in clinical settings. This will help to increase collaboration between primary healthcare providers, dermatologists, and other medical specialists and ultimately improve the quality of care that HS patients receive.

The pathogenetic factors generating the innate immune signal necessary for T-cell activation, initiation and chronification of Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS, also known as Acne inversa) are still poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that a defective keratinocyte function critically contributes to HS disease development and progression.To elucidate the role of keratinocytes in HS lesion formation, we compared the transcriptomes of lesional and perilesional epidermis isolated from HS patients by RNA sequencing (RNA Seq).Pairwise-matched lesional and perilesional HS skin samples of five different donors were obtained and epidermal keratinocytes freshly isolated and processed for RNA extraction and RNA seq. Lesionally regulated genes were analysed by large-scale promoter analysis and functional annotation clustering to identify epidermally overrepresented transcription factor binding sites and functionally related gene groups. Results were experimentally validated with independent epidermal isolates of patient-matched lesional and perilesional HS skin employing qRT-PCR, cell culture, immunoblot and immunostaining.We show that HS is characterized by a strong epidermal stress state evident by a significant overrepresentation of an AP-1-driven gene signature and a substantial activation of the stress-activated cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway in lesional epidermis. Additionally, our data reveal a strong induction of STAT1 activation in lesional HS epidermis that likely results from IFNγ production and triggered expression of key inflammatory genes coordinating innate immune activation and the adaptive T-cell response in HS.Our data implicate a key role of stress signalling and JAK/STAT1 activation in disease progression of HS and suggest interference with JAK/STAT1 signalling as a potentially promising therapeutic approach for HS.

Quality of life is severely impacted by Hidradenitis Suppurativa. This cross-sectional survey based study highlights that the impact of Hidradenitis Suppurativa on quality of life measured by the World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) survey is worse than published data for atopic dermatitis and other acute and chronic medical conditions including myocardial infarction and inflammatory bowel disease.

Die Daten zu Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)-bedingten Kosten sind begrenzt und inhomogen. Sie sind jedoch erheblich. Wir führten eine systematische Sichtung der Literaturberichte durch, in denen finanzielle Daten über jeden Gesundheitsbereich oder andere Ausgaben dokumentiert wurden, die durch HS und/oder HS-bedingte Auswirkungen auf Beschäftigung, Einkommen und persönliches wirtschaftliche Entwicklung entstanden sind (indirekte Kosten). Dafür wurden drei elektronische Datenbanken durchsucht (MEDLINE, ScienceDirect und die Cochrane Library -letzte Suche: 14. September 2021). Alle Kosten wurden inflationsbereinigt (2022) und in US-Dollar umgerechnet. Es wurden 23 Artikel eingeschlossen (18 Krankheitskostenstudien, 4 Beobachtungsstudien und 1 Fallserie), in denen ökonomische Daten von 77.287 HS-Patienten erfasst wurden. Die durch HS entstandenen durchschnittlichen jährlichen Kosten pro Patient reichten von 258 $ bis 8.078 $. Diese Zahl erhöhte sich bei chirurgischen Eingriffen, Krankheitsprogression, Antibiotika-Versagen und bestimmten Begleitkrankheiten. Der kostspieligste Faktor war die stationäre Versorgung, gefolgt von ambulanter und Notfallversorgung. Signifikante Unterschiede wurden zwischen den USA und den übrigen untersuchten Ländern beobachtet. Im Vergleich zu Psoriasis-Patienten waren Krankenhausaufenthalte bei HS wahrscheinlicher, länger und kostspieliger, während die weniger kostspielige ambulante Versorgung bei HS-Patienten verringert war. Das Vermeiden der Krankheitsprogression durch frühzeitige Diagnose und Optimierung der ambulanten dermatologischen Versorgung könnte HS-bedinge Ausgaben reduzieren.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is characterized by deep-seated, highly inflamed, and painful lumps/abscesses, fistulae, and sinus tracts that grow extensively deep in the dermis and are highly immunogenic in nature. In about one-third of the HS patients there is strong evidence for the role of γ-secretase mutations along with dysregulated Notch signaling. However, the contribution of dysregulated Notch signaling in HS pathogenesis in relation to hair follicle alterations and hyper-activation of the immune system remains undefined. A genome-wide association study (GWAS), proteomic data and functional investigations of identified sequence variants in HS pathology are not fully revealing. The disease initiation or progression may involve bacterial infection besides intrinsic functional defects in keratinocytes, which may be key to further exacerbate immune cell infiltration and cytokine production in and around the lesional tissue. The absence of a suitable animal model that could fully recapitulate the pathogenesis of HS is a major impediment for proper understanding the underlying mechanisms and development of effective treatments. The presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation products along with dysregulation in keratinocytes and, dermal fibroblasts ultimately affect immune regulation and are various components of HS pathogenesis. Bacterial infection further exacerbates the complexity of the disease progression. While anti-TNFα therapy shows partial efficacy, treatment to cure HS is absent. Multiple clinical trials targeting various cytokines, complement C5a and ECM products are in progress. This review provides state-of-the-art information on these aspects with a focus on dysregulated keratinocyte and immune cells; and role of ECM, and Keratin functions in this regard.

Obese and overweight individuals may have a wide spectrum of cutaneous features and can have more severe manifestations of multiple dermatological conditions. There have been multiple expert opinions on the role of weight loss, in the improvement of skin conditions. There have been few studies over the past decade evaluating the effects of exercise and other modes of weight reduction on various dermatoses such as psoriasis, acne vulgaris, hidradenitis suppurativa and acanthosis nigricans. In this review, we have attempted to provide a summary of the beneficial effects of weight loss on various dermatological conditions.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent skin inflammatory disease associated with a variety of comorbidities, like metabolic syndrome, reduced quality of life, sexual dysfunction, working disability, inflammatory bowel disease, axial spondyloarthritis, depression and anxiety. Like psoriasis, HS patients have been found to have higher risk of cardiovascular death and suicide risk. Evidence suggests that for such a chronic, multi-comorbid disease, the use of validated outcomes to assess severity and effect of treatment, along with the use of clinically important patient reported outcomes, is essential. Clinicians should be informed about these comorbidities so that appropriate screening is implemented. The potential of available treatments to negatively and positively affect these comorbidities should also be taken into account when designing treatment strategies. This article aims to provide an outline of important HS comorbidities with emphasis on possible implications for daily clinical practice.

International Dermatology Outcome Measures (IDEOM) is a non-profit organization founded in 2013. It is composed of researchers and stakeholders who work to develop evidenced-based outcome measures to enhance research and treatment recommendations of dermatologic diseases.The 2021 IDEOM Virtual Annual Meeting occurred from November 19-20, 2021. Contributions were made by leaders and stakeholders from the psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa, acne, vitiligo, actinic keratosis, alopecia areata, itch, and cutaneous lymphoma workgroups. The psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and actinic keratosis workgroups provided an overview of their respective instruments for treatment satisfaction and symptom measurement. The inaugural meetings of the itch, alopecia areata, and cutaneous lymphoma workgroups identified unmet needs of their respective diseases and future goals. The acne, vitiligo, and pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa workgroups discussed concerns of quality of life, instruments for symptom measurement, and screening tools. Additionally, a representative from the US Food and Drug Administration was in attendance and presented an update on topical drugs and generics. This report provides a summary of workgroup updates from the past year and future directions established during the meeting.This report summarizes progress made by each IDEOM workgroup at the 2021 IDEOM Virtual Annual Meeting. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(8):867-874. doi:10.36849/JDD.6974.

Genital lymphedema usually develops after 4-30 years of chronic hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). However, our patient exhibited signs of it as early as 2 years after being diagnosed with HS. Renal amyloidosis is a rarely reported complication of HS. Unfortunately, our patient was asymptomatic but was found to have end-stage renal disease secondary to advanced renal amyloidosis. We report a case of a 42-year-old Indian gentleman who had HS for 9 years presenting with 2 rare complications: penoscrotal lymphedema and end-stage renal disease secondary to renal amyloidosis. The patient was treated with prednisolone and adalimumab to treat both his HS and renal amyloidosis, and was referred to general surgery to manage his genital lymphedema. We recommend following adult patients with moderate-to-severe HS and clinical duration of greater than 3 years and screening for amyloidosis before they reach end-stage organ disease, similar to what happened to our patient with end-stage renal disease.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with an increased prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are molecules related to endothelial dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerosis, but also to disease severity in patients with chronic inflammatory disorders. In this case-control study, we aimed to investigate serum Ang-2, ADMA, and OPG levels in patients with HS, and to assess the potential relationship between these levels and disease severity. Seventy-five patients with HS and 60 controls were assessed. Serum Ang-2, ADMA, and OPG concentrations were determined in all participants. HS patients had significantly higher Ang-2 and ADMA levels than controls after adjusting for confounders. Besides, Ang-2 concentrations positively correlated with disease severity in the adjusted multivariable analysis. Nevertheless, serum OPG levels did not significantly differ between HS patients and controls. Our results indicate that serum Ang-2 and ADMA levels are significantly increased in patients with HS. Furthermore, Ang-2 might be a suitable marker of HS severity.

Diagnosing and treating neutrophilic dermatoses (NDs) in clinical practice can be challenging because of various presentations and stubborn treatment responses. Establishing a diagnosis is necessary, though, because many NDs are associated with underlying conditions, including malignancy. In this article, the authors provide information about Sweet syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, and other NDs and describe their clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and associated conditions. The authors also present a case report describing the coexistence of two NDs and hidradenitis suppurativa in one patient and review the treatment modalities for those conditions.

(1) Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by the transformation of normal skin into skin with abscesses, nodules, tunnels, and scars. The most commonly affected areas are the armpits, groins, buttocks, and subscapular area. Patients with HS require constant care under the supervision of the outpatient clinic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, consultations have been introduced in the form of telemedicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the availability of HS treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and to assess patient satisfaction, problems with access to medical care, and the impact of the pandemic on the course of the disease. (2) Methods: An internet survey with an anonymous questionnaire was used to assess the effectiveness of telemedicine consultations. The survey consisted of 25 closed questions, and responses were kept fully anonymous. (3) Results: Most respondents reported minor problems with accessing specialized HS medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 25, 35.71%). However, 35.71% (n = 25) of them reported major problems with appointments for specialized ambulatory treatment during the last few months of the pandemic, mainly due to delayed appointments. Almost half of the respondents had been diagnosed with COVID-19 (n = 34, 48.57%), and 58.57% (n = 41) of respondents did not see a correlation between COVID-19 infection and HS progression. (4) Conclusions: Our study showed that the pandemic significantly limited access to medical advice, and patients with hidradenitis suppurativa prefer standard consultations.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a common cutaneous and systemic inflammatory disease with a significant impact on mental health and quality of life. It is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular (CV) disease, and increased all-cause mortality. Metformin is used frequently in HS treatment and is effective for some patients. The mechanism of action of metformin in HS is unknown. A case-control study of 40 patients with HS (20 on metformin and 20 controls) was conducted to assess differences in metabolic markers, inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP], serum adipokines, and CV risk biomarkers), and serum immune mediators. Body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance (77%), and metabolic syndrome (44%) were high overall, but not significantly different between the groups. This highlights the need for co-morbidity screening and management. A significant reduction in fasting insulin and a trend towards a reduction in insulin resistance were identified in the metformin group compared with pre-treatment levels. CV risk biomarkers were significantly favourable in the metformin group (lymphocytes, monocyte–lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, and platelet–lymphocyte ratio). CRP was lower in the metformin group but was not statistically significant. Adipokines were dysregulated overall but were not different between the two groups. Serum IFN-γ, IL-8, TNF-α, and CXCL1 trended lower in the metformin group but did not reach significance. These results suggest that metformin improves CV risk biomarkers and insulin resistance in patients with HS. When the results of this study are considered alongside other studies in HS and related conditions, it is likely that metformin also has beneficial effects on metabolic markers and systemic inflammation in HS (CRP, serum adipokines, and immune mediators), warranting further research.

RESUMO A hidradenite supurativa (HS) é uma doença inflamatória crônica da pele caracterizada por apresentar nodulações subcutâneas, dolorosas e com sinais flogísticos, inicialmente enrijecidas e que evoluem para consistência amolecida. Ocorre em 1 a 4% da população mundial. A sua etiologia ainda é pouco conhecida, sugere-se que aconteça devido à oclusão do ducto apócrino dos folículos pilosos por fatores precipitantes como fricção de tecido adiposo, higiene precária, entre outras. Seu diagnóstico é eminentemente clínico, pela identificação de lesões típicas recorrentes em forma de nodularidades, abcessos, tratos fistulosos ou cicatrizes. Não há testes patognomônicos. Sua evolução é variável e de difícil manejo, o qual pode ser feito com terapia tópica, sistêmica ou por exérese cirúrgica. Este trabalho revisa a avaliação por imagem da hidroadenite supurativa e demonstra imagens de um caso avaliado por ressonância magnética. A avaliação por exames de imagem, apesar de pouco específica para firmar diagnóstico, é muito útil na determinação da extensão da doença, assim como na exclusão de diagnósticos diferenciais, destacando-se o papel da ressonância magnética na avaliação das lesões anogenitais, com potencial de reduzir recorrências. ABSTRACT Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful deep subcutaneous nodules with phlogistic signs, which are initially hard and progress to have a soft consistency. It occurs in 1-4% of the world population. Etiology of HS is still poorly understood and is suggested to occur due to occlusion of the apocrine duct of the hair follicles by triggering factors such as friction of the adipose tissue and poor hygiene, among others. Diagnosis is eminently clinical, through the identification of typical recurrent lesions that include nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, or scars. There are no pathognomonic tests used to confirm its presence. Progression is variable and difficult to manage, which can be done with topical or systemic therapy or surgical excision. This work reviews the imaging assessment of HS and shows images of a case assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging assessment, although not specific enough for a diagnosis, is useful to determine the extent of the disease and to exclude differential diagnoses. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging has an important role in the assessment of anogenital lesions and a potential to reduce recurrences.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a morbid, recurrent skin condition that presents a major challenge to clinical therapy. Investigation into the pathogenesis of HS has implicated local and systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF-alpha; and IL-17A, as major determinants of disease progression and severity. This has ushered in a revolution in HS therapy with biologics targeting these cytokines. We report a case of a 36-year-old man with extensive and treatment-resistant Hurley Stage 3 HS. After undergoing numerous unsuccessful trials of topical, systemic, and biologic therapies, secukinumab therapy with 150 mg weekly injections was initiated. HS clinical response was seen after 20 weeks and was maintained for almost two years. Secukinumab 150 mg or 300 mg once weekly may be an effective and safe therapeutic option for moderate-to-severe chronic HS. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(12):1358-1360. doi:10.36849/JDD.6752.

Widespread use of antibiotics for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) opens up the possibility of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and an increased risk of mortality. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for acquiring CDI in patients with HS. We suggest that providers should take risk factors including increased antibiotic class, hospitalizations, and advanced patient age into consideration when prescribing antibiotics for HS.

In this case series, ustekinumab therapy demonstrated efficacy in some patients with severe hidradenitis suppurativa previously treated with adalimumab and/or infliximab. Larger prospective studies are needed to evaluate ustekinumab as a treatment option for recalcitrant hidradenitis suppurativa.

Background\ud\udHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory, debilitating skin disease characterized by painful deep lesions and associated with substantial disease burden.\udObjectives\ud\udThe objective of this study was to describe physician- and patient-reported clinical unmet needs from a real-world perspective.\udMethods\ud\udThis study used data from the Adelphi HS Disease Specific Programme, a point-in-time survey of dermatologists and their patients with HS in Europe and the United States. Dermatologists completed patient record forms (PRFs) for 5–7 consecutively consulting patients with HS; patients or carers of patients also optionally completed a patient/carer self-completion questionnaire (PSC/CSC). Data collection included demographics, symptomatology and impact on quality of life (QoL).\udResults\ud\udDermatologists (N = 312) completed PRFs for 1787 patients with HS; patient- and carer-reported questionnaires (PSC/CSC) were completed for 33.1% (591/1787) of patients. The mean age was 34.4 ± 12.2 years and 57.6% of patients were female (1029/1787). Physician-judged disease severity at sampling was categorized as mild in 66.0% (1179/1787), moderate in 29.3% (523/1787) and severe in 4.7% (85/1787) of patients. Deterioration or unstable condition over the previous 12 months was described by 17.1% [235/1372] and 12.6% [41/325] of physician- and patient/carer-reported cases, respectively. Despite receiving treatment, high proportions of patients still experienced symptoms at sampling (general pain/discomfort [49.5%, 885/1787]; inflammation/redness of lesions/abscesses [46.1%, 823/1787] and itching [29.9%, 535/1787]); these symptoms were more frequent in patients with moderate or severe disease. Patients reported a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index score of 5.9 ± 5.4 (555/591; mild, 4.1 ± 4.3; moderate, 9.4 ± 5.4; severe, 13.3 ± 5.5) and a mean Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life score of 11.0 ± 10.6 (518/591; mild, 7.6 ± 8.3; moderate, 17.7 ± 10.0; severe, 31.0 ± 15.4) indicating a substantial impact on QoL.\udConclusions\ud\udPatients with HS experienced a high disease burden despite being actively treated by a dermatologist. This study demonstrates that the burden of HS disease is generally poorly managed with a considerable impact observed on patients' QoL.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a relatively common chronic inflammatory condition of intertriginous skin. In recent years, the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and platelet/neutrophil ratio (PLR) have been shown to be indicators of systemic inflammation correlating with severity of inflammatory conditions.We aimed to analyse for the first time the systemic inflammation biomarkers also including the pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in HS patients and controls.This study retrospectively investigated clinical and laboratory data of 142 patients with HS. Moreover, a sex-age-matched healthy control group was included. The severity of HS was routinely assessed by the Hurley staging, the mHSS and the SAHS score. All inflammation-based biomarkers were calculated from absolute values of complete blood counts. Receiver-operating characteristics analyses, including the Youden index, were performed in order to determine optimal cut-off values and test performance.Whereas PIV and SII were significantly higher in HS patients, PLR, MLR and PNR were significantly lower in HS patients when compared to controls. Almost all inflammation-based biomarkers significantly correlated with disease severity. However, PIV was the only test that was significantly associated with HS severity as indicated by a Youden index of 0.56 (associated criterion: 756.4; AUC: 0.79, P 0.0001).Although all systemic inflammation-based biomarkers investigated are more or less associated with HS severity, the PIV appears to have the best performance in this regard. It may be employed in adjunction with the clinical scores for treatment decision making or clinical trial assessments.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic autoinflammatory skin condition and is associated with several comorbidities. Previous studies report variable prevalence rates of HS, depending on the methodology. However, the exact prevalence remains unknown. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of HS in a large population-based cohort in the Northern Netherlands, and to compare patients with HS to the general population, investigate characteristics and identify potential associated comorbidities. Methods: Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey-based study within the Lifelines Cohort Study (n = 167 729), based on the general population located in the Northern Netherlands. A digital self-reported questionnaire was developed consisting of validated questions for determining HS. Results: Among 56 084 respondents, the overall prevalence of HS was 2.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–2.2]. The respondents with HS had lower socioeconomic status than the controls (P < 0.001) and more frequently currently smoked (P < 0.001). Several new significant associations in patients with HS were revealed, such as fibromyalgia (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.64–3.11), irritable bowel syndrome (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.18–2.26), chronic fatigue syndrome (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.06–2.78) and migraine (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.11–1.96). Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome remained significantly associated with HS in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Our study showed a higher prevalence of HS in the Northern Netherlands compared with the overall estimated prevalence of 1% and identified several new associated comorbidities.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating, inflammatory skin disorder with a prevalence of around 1% and a profound impact on patients' quality of life. Characteristic lesions such as inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts develop in the axillae, inguinal, and gluteal areas, typically during or after puberty. A complex interplay of genetic predisposition, hormonal factors, obesity, and smoking contributes to development and maintenance of the disease. HS is considered to arise from an intrinsic defect within the hair follicle, leading to follicular plugging, cyst formation, and subsequent rupture that in turn induce an acute inflammatory response characterized by elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF. Over time, acute lesions transition into chronic disease, with active draining sinus tracts accompanied by extensive fibrosis. HS is associated with other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, and psychiatric comorbidities. Treatment of HS often requires a combination of antibiotic or immunosuppressing therapies and surgical intervention. Nonetheless, the currently available treatments are not universally effective, and many drugs, which are often repurposed from other inflammatory diseases, are under investigation. Studies into the early stages of HS may yield treatments to prevent disease progression; yet, they are hampered by a lack of appropriate in vitro and animal models.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is considered to be the best treatment for recurrent hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Although it is necessary to assess the effect on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL), patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are scarce and heterogeneously used in the literature about the surgical treatment of HS. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to provide a review of the complete literature for different PROMs used in the surgical treatment of HS and to assess their methodological qualities. METHODS: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Embase with an assessment following the COnsensus-based standards for the Selection of health status Measurement INstrument criteria. RESULTS: The search identified 218 articles, with the inclusion of 6 studies for analysis. Identified PROMs were as follows: the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the Derriford Appearance Scale-24 (DAS-24), and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI). These non-disease-specific PROMs seem to have poor results concerning development and content validation. CONCLUSION: The DLQI, WPAI, and DAS-24 are generic PROMs with poor methodological qualities for PROM development and content validation. Hidradenitis suppurativa-specific instruments are not used in available studies because they have been developed recently and, therefore, partially validated. More research is needed to further investigate methodological qualities of HS-specific instruments.

There is a strong interaction between the immunological and nervous system in the skin. Lesions that are physically disfiguring and chronically relapsing have a high impact on quality of life (QoL) and can result in the emergence of psychiatric disorders. The literature data confirm a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and atopic dermatitis (AD), but such data are compromised by low-quality evidence due to methodological heterogeneity.The primary aim was to analyse the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in a group of psoriasis, AD and HS patients compared with a control group. The secondary aims were to evaluate the impact of psychiatric comorbidities on the disease development, severity, flare-ups and QoL.A total of 59 cases and 64 controls were included.Generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder with anxious distress were found to be risk factors for AD. Age, smoking and substance-related disorder showed a specific association with HS. Major depressive disorder showed a specific association with dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and all the above disease flare-ups.Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and HS are associated with psychiatric disorders. A psychodermatological approach improves outcomes in terms of QoL, disease flare-ups and long-term management.

Studies on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have found an increased prevalence of HS in skin of color and lower socioeconomic status patients, although the reasons for these differences are unclear. Demographic and therapeutic studies of HS originate primarily from developed Western countries, and data from low- and medium-income countries (LMIC) remain comparatively limited. In this review paper, we discuss differences in clinical presentation and comorbidities between racial and socioeconomic subpopulations and describe the genetic, biomedical, psychosocial, and ecological factors that may explain the associations between HS and skin of color and socioeconomic status. We highlight biomedical treatment considerations for LMIC including cost effective and less complex treatment strategies. We touch on population-based strategies to address the social determinants of health in HS management and discuss additional challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background and ObjectiveHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease with a profound effect on patients’ quality of life. The patient’s journey to manage HS is often complex and unsuccessful, which motivates the aim of this research to gain insight into unmet needs and relevant treatment considerations from the perspective of patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs).MethodsIndividual semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and HCPs experienced in treating HS to understand the perceived unmet care needs and to identify important treatment attributes. Prioritization of the five most important treatment attributes allowed elicitation of their relative importance.ResultsInterviews with 12 patients and 16 HCPs revealed 16 areas of unmet needs either related to treatment outcomes or the care process and 13 important treatment attributes. The most frequently reported unmet needs by patients and HCPs were lacking quality-of-life improvement, low treatment effectiveness, inadequate pain control, low disease awareness, and delayed diagnosis. Patients expressed unique concerns relating to pain management, access to HS specialists, and wound care guidance and costs, which HCPs did not. Treatment attributes related to effectiveness were considered most important by patients and HCPs. Patients additionally emphasized a strong preference for improved pain management.ConclusionsCurrent HS treatments and care processes leave patients and HCPs with a high level of unmet need. It is critical to consider patients’ and HCPs’ perspectives when designing appropriate HS care as perceived unmet needs differ. Further quantitative preference elicitation studies are needed to assess the trade-offs between important care needs and treatment attributes.