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The Medical and Laser Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

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Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating skin disease characterized by painful recurrent nodules and abscesses. In advanced stages, sinus tracts form, with resulting fibrotic and cribriform scar formation, leading to dermal contractures and induration of the affected skin. The epidemiology of HS is poorly described, and few population-based studies exist. The reported incidence varies from 0.0003 to 4 %. Effective treatment options for HS are limited, and randomized controlled trials addressing the safety and/or efficacy of available treatments are scarce. No medical treatment to date has been approved by the US FDA specifically for the treatment of HS. While some evidence of disease improvement exists with agents including clindamycin and rifampicin, metformin, fumarates, infliximab, and adalimumab, no single treatment has shown overwhelmingly positive outcomes. The lack of randomized controlled trials for most treatments and often disappointing treatment outcomes is disheartening. This study reviews the published evidence for treatment options for HS.

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Disclosures

The authors confirm that no funding was received in relation to the writing of this article.

The authors, Dr. Rosalind Hughes, Dr. G Kelly, Dr. A Lally, and Dr. C Sweeny do not have any relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.

Professor Brian Kirby has received research grants from the following: Pfizer, Abbvie and Merck-Sharp-Dohme. He has also worked as a consultant and advisor for the following: Pfizer, Abbvie, Roche, Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Novartis and Jansen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland

    Rosalind Hughes, Genevieve Kelly, Aoife Lally & Brian Kirby

  2. Dermatology Research Group, Education and Research Centre, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland

    Cheryl Sweeny

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  1. Rosalind Hughes
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  2. Genevieve Kelly
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Correspondence to Rosalind Hughes.

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Hughes, R., Kelly, G., Sweeny, C. et al. The Medical and Laser Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. Am J Clin Dermatol 16, 111–123 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-015-0118-8

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