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Effects of Exercise and Dietary Modifications on Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa affects up to 4% of the population worldwide. Many treatment options exist but these come with a significant side-effect profile. Exercise, weight loss, and dietary modifications may be simple inexpensive alternatives and/or adjuncts to treating this disease.

Objectives

We aimed to summarize published evidence on the effects of dietary, weight loss, and exercise interventions on the clinical course, severity, or subjective improvement of hidradenitis suppurativa and to provide a framework regarding dietary changes and exercise modalities for clinicians treating this disease.

Methods

A literature search of Scopus (1993 onwards), PubMed (1986 onwards), and MEDLINE (OVID interface, 1946 onwards) was conducted on 22 October, 2022. Case–control studies, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials with five or more subjects conducted on adult participants (aged >18 years) were included; case reports, case series, and review papers were excluded.

Results

Fifteen studies involving 2829 patients were included, encompassing nine cohort studies, five cross-sectional studies, and one cross-over study. Patients who were female, lost more than 50 pounds (22.7 kg), or were obese prior to weight loss saw improvement in hidradenitis suppurativa severity with weight loss. There was evidence for beneficial effects of diets, such as the Mediterranean diet that minimizes sugar, highly processed carbohydrates, and dairy, and emphasizes chicken, fruits, and vegetables, in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Evidence also supported benefit from oral zinc and vitamin D supplementation.

Conclusions

More evidence is needed in the form of randomized controlled trials or well-designed controlled trials to evaluate the effect of exercise and dietary manipulation on the hidradenitis suppurativa disease course. Overall, there is significant but weak evidence to support improvement in hidradenitis suppurativa severity with weight loss, dietary changes, and micronutrient supplementation. There is no significant evidence to support improvement in hidradenitis suppurativa symptomology with any type of exercise intervention.

Clinical Trial Registration

This protocol was registered with PROSPERO with the registration number CRD4202235099.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA

    Isaac Weber & Josie Giefer

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of Missouri, 1 Hospital Dr., Columbia, MO, 65212, USA

    Kari L. Martin

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Correspondence to Kari L. Martin.

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No sources of funding were received for the preparation of this article.

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Isaac Weber, Josie Giefer, and Kari L. Martin have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.

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Availability of data and material

The data that support the findings of this study are available from Isaac Weber upon reasonable request.

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Author contributions

IW conceived the presented idea, synthesized the data, and wrote the preliminary manuscript. JG and KM verified the search terms and methods. IW and JG screened and assessed all studies for eligibility. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final manuscript.

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Weber, I., Giefer, J. & Martin, K.L. Effects of Exercise and Dietary Modifications on Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review. Am J Clin Dermatol 24, 343–357 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-023-00756-w

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