Australasian hidradenitis suppurativa management guidelines

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Inflammatory Skin Diseases
• Clinical Practice Guidelines

Background:

• Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition significantly impacting patient quality of life.
• Current management strategies require updated, evidence-based recommendations tailored to the Australasian clinical context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop consensus-based clinical management guidelines for Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Australasia.
• To provide a framework for appropriate disease assessment, treatment escalation, and management of comorbidities.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review formed the basis for guideline development.
• A modified Delphi consensus process involving thirteen clinical experts guided the formulation of recommendations and treatment algorithms.

Main Results:

• Management emphasizes comprehensive disease severity assessment and consideration of comorbidities.
• Multimodal therapy, combining systemic and local treatments, is recommended over sequential monotherapy.
• Aggressive treatment of moderate to severe HS is encouraged to capitalize on early therapeutic opportunities.

Conclusions:

• Effective Hidradenitis Suppurativa management necessitates a complex, multimodal approach integrating medical, physical, and surgical interventions.
• Guidelines address specific patient populations, including those with comorbidities, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding.
• Optimizing patient outcomes in HS requires a proactive and comprehensive therapeutic strategy.