Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Literature Review Comparing Current Therapeutic Modalities

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease with significant impact on quality of life, often misdiagnosed.
• Its multifactorial pathogenesis involves genetic, hormonal, immune, and lifestyle factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of various current therapeutic interventions for hidradenitis suppurativa.
• To highlight the need for more robust evidence supporting HS treatments.

Main Methods:

• Review of current therapeutic strategies for HS.
• Analysis of available evidence for topical antibiotics, systemic antibiotics, hormonal agents, adalimumab, and surgical interventions.

Main Results:

• Topical and systemic antibiotics are commonly used despite limited evidence.
• Hormonal agents may be effective for specific patient groups.
• Adalimumab is the only FDA/EMA-approved treatment for moderate to severe HS.
• Surgical interventions aim to remove affected tissue and sinus tracts.

Conclusions:

• HS presents a significant treatment challenge requiring comprehensive management.
• Current evidence supporting many HS treatments is limited, underscoring the need for further research.
• Identifying the most effective interventions for HS requires more extensive investigation.