Hidradenitis suppurativa - Management, comorbidities and monitoring

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease presenting in intertriginous areas. HS is associated with a number of disease-modifying comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome and androgen dysfunction, and smoking.

This review provides a synopsis of the aetiology and diagnosis of HS, and an overview of management for this often devastating disease.

The clinical course and disease severity of HS are variable among patients. HS has profound physical and psychological consequences that affect patients' quality of life. Effective treatment is now a realistic goal, but needs to be combined with treatment of the comorbidities and psyche. Evidence-based management guidelines have been established for the management of this disease. General practitioners play a pivotal role in the holistic treatment of this disease.