Hidradenitis suppurativa and psychosocial well-being: a cross-sectional survey analysis from the All of Us research program.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease that often leads to decreased quality of life. Prior research assessing stress and discrimination related to stigmatization of those with HS is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the association between HS and the following factors related to psychosocial well-being: stress, discrimination, and loneliness. We performed secondary analysis of participants 18 years and older registered in the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program in March 2024. The study sample was limited to individuals who had completed ≥ 1 of 4 psychosocial well-being surveys. Among 1,352 individuals with HS, 135 were included in the sample. Among 208,290 individuals without HS, 56,902 were included. The following surveys assessed loneliness, stress, perceived discrimination in everyday settings, and perceived discrimination in medical settings, respectively: the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Cohen Perceived Stress Scale, Everyday Discrimination Scale, and Discrimination in Medical Settings Scale. The association between HS and survey scores was modeled using multivariable linear regression adjusted for self-reported sex, self-reported race and ethnicity, age, and income. In an unadjusted model, those with HS reported a significantly higher degree of stress (MeanHS (SD) = 21.5 (4.74); Meannon-HS (SD) = 19.8 (3.98); p < 0.001), discrimination in everyday settings (MeanHS (SD) = 18.9 (8.16); Meannon-HS (SD) = 16.0 (7.06); p < 0.0001), and discrimination in healthcare settings (MeanHS (SD) = 1.77 (0.64); Meannon-HS (SD) = 1.56 (0.62); p < 0.001). After adjusting for sex, race, age, and income, the association between HS and discrimination in healthcare settings was non-significant; however, associations between HS and increased levels of perceived stress and everyday discrimination remained significant. Low survey completion rates and demographic differences between those who did and did not complete the study surveys may limit generalizability of results. Findings suggest that those with HS may benefit from regular screening for psychosocial well-being and provision of support resources.

Efficacy of spironolactone in treating hidradenitis suppurativa in women of childbearing age: a single-center retrospective analysis.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease characterized by recurrent nodules that affect areas with a high density of apocrine sweat glands, such as the axillae and groin. Androgens are implicated in the pathophysiology of HS. Therefore, spironolactone, an antiandrogen therapy, is recommended. However, data on its use in women of childbearing age are limited, especially since its antiandrogenic effects may affect menstruation, fertility, and pubertal development. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of spironolactone in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa in women of childbearing age and to identify factors associated with treatment response. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on female patients aged 12 to 50 with HS treated with spironolactone at Michigan Medicine dermatology clinics from 2000 to 2021. The patients' demographic data, HS characteristics, and spironolactone responses were examined. Statistical assessments were performed to determine the efficacy indicators. Results: Of the 157 patients reviewed, 31 showed an improvement in treatment. Variables such as axillary involvement, previous treatment failures, and use of intralesional steroids were linked to a lack of improvement in spironolactone. Through adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis, a significant association was observed between improvement status and Hurley stage 3 (odds ratio = 0.15 [95% CI: 0.02-0.79], P = .036), suggesting that patients with Hurley stage 3 were 85% less likely to exhibit improvement in spironolactone therapy. Limitations: The study's retrospective nature and reliance on single-center data can limit generalizability. The sample size is limited and therefore affects the study's statistical power. Conclusion: Thus, spironolactone may offer therapeutic benefits for HS in women of childbearing age. However, patients with severe disease (Hurley stage 3) had reduced response rates. Further prospective studies are recommended to validate these findings and determine the most suitable patient profile for spironolactone therapy for HS.

Eosinophils in hidradenitis suppurativa patients exhibit pro-inflammatory traits, implicating a potential pathogenic role in the disease.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful nodules, abscesses and purulent secretions in intertriginous regions. Intense pruritus frequently accompanies HS lesions, adding further discomfort for patients. While Th17 pathway activation is implicated in HS pathogenesis, disease mechanisms are still not fully understood, and therapeutics are lacking. Previous reports raise a potential role for eosinophils in HS, showing a strong association of eosinophil levels with disease severity. To investigate eosinophils in HS, we recruited patients and matched healthy controls and then performed flow-cytometry studies, eosinophil stimulation assays, and lesional skin staining for eosinophils. We found that HS patients reported similar levels of pain and itch. Compared to matched controls, HS blood exhibited decreased mature eosinophils and increased numbers of immature eosinophils, coupled with a significant increase in dermal eosinophilic infiltrates. Additionally, IL-17RA+ eosinophils were highly and significantly correlated with multiple HS-related clinical scores. In both stimulated and unstimulated conditions, HS eosinophils showed an inflammatory phenotype versus controls, including an increase in costimulatory T- and B-cell markers (e.g. CD5 and CD40) following all stimulations (TNFα/IL-17A/IL-17F). These findings highlight the significance of pruritus in HS and suggest a higher turnover of eosinophils in HS blood, potentially due to the consumption of eosinophils in skin lesions. Our data delineate the features and functions of eosinophils in HS and suggest that eosinophils participate in disease pathogenesis, advancing Th17-related inflammation. Further studies are needed to investigate eosinophils' response to current HS treatments and their potential as a therapeutic target in the disease.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of acne vulgaris, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa supports high-dose dietary zinc as a therapeutic agent.

Acne vulgaris, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa are enduring inflammatory skin conditions that frequently manifest with akin clinical attributes, posing a considerable challenge for their distinctive diagnosis. While these conditions do exhibit certain resemblances, they also demonstrate distinct underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment modalities. Delving into both the molecular parallels and disparities among these three disorders can yield invaluable insights for refined diagnostics, effective management, and targeted therapeutic interventions. In this report, we present a comparative analysis of transcriptomic data across these three diseases, elucidating differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways specific to each ailment, as well as those shared among them. Specifically, we identified multiple zinc-binding proteins (SERPINA1, S100A7, S100A8, S100A9 and KRT16) as consistently highly upregulated genes across all three diseases. Our hypothesis suggests that these proteins could bind and sequester zinc, potentially leading to localized zinc deficiency and heightened inflammation. We identified high-dose dietary zinc as a promising therapeutic approach and confirmed its effectiveness through validation in an acne mouse model.

Biologic drugs in hidradenitis suppurativa: what does the GP have to know? A narrative review.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease with a profound disease burden. In recent years, the advent of biologic therapies has improved the treatment landscape for patients with moderate to severe HS. In this new therapeutic era, the role of the general practitioner (GP) in HS treatment is becoming more important than ever. This review discusses how to recognize and diagnose HS by detailing common symptoms. HS can also present with multiple comorbidities. The GP's role in screening for and treating these important comorbidities is pivotal. This review highlights the HS treatment landscape, with a specific focus on what the GP can recommend. The three approved biologics for treating HS include adalimumab, secukinumab and bimekizumab; the benefits and concerns of biologics in everyday clinical practice are detailed. In summary, this review serves as a HS management guide for GPs, with a particular focus on the biologic treatment landscape.

How Digital Solutions Might Provide a World of New Opportunities for Holistic and Empathic Support of Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a complex chronic relapsing inflammatory condition anchored in the hair follicle wherein painful abscesses, nodules, and tunnels form under the skin with the potential for intermittent pus drainage and tissue scarring. Current estimates of incidence are 1-4% globally with the disease three times more prevalent in women and higher rates among Black populations. Patients with HS are also more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and loneliness underscoring the need for carefully approached strategies on disease awareness and interventions. Delays in formal diagnosis, which have been estimated at 7-10 years on average, impede timely provision of optimal care. Despite best intent, when patients present at a physician's office, stigmas relating to physical appearance can be exacerbated by negative interactions experienced by patients. In addition to long wait times and the dearth of available HS expert dermatology professionals, patients perceive heightened physician focus on two of the HS flare risk factors (smoking and body mass index [BMI]) as negatively impacting their care. Given the need for continual, personal, and sensitive patient support, herein we advocate for re-examination of approach to care and the leveraging of highly personalized digital support solutions. New medications which can directly or indirectly control elements of the disease and its comorbidities are also entering the marketplace. Collectively, we posit that these new developments provide opportunity for a holistic approach for patients with HS, leading to long-term engagement and improved outcomes.

Comorbidities, Clinical Presentation, Subtypes, and Treatment of HS Patients in Lithuania.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a persistent, recurring skin inflammatory condition linked to various comorbidities. Management involves antibiotics, hormone therapy, immune-modulating drugs, surgery, and treatment of comorbidities. The objectives of the study were to assess the comorbidities, clinical presentation subtypes, and applied treatment of patients with HS. Methods: Patients with HS who visited the Centre of Dermatovenereology at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos in Lithuania underwent evaluation based on the guidelines of the European Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation Registry questionnaire. Results: The study included 49 patients, and 61.22% (n = 30) had comorbidities. A strong positive correlation was found between a family history of inflammatory diseases (69.38% (n = 34)) and the severity of HS according to Hurley stage (r = 0.71 p < 0.05). A statistically significant correlation (r = 0.944, p = 0.02) was found between metabolic comorbidities and Hurley stage. Patients on biologic treatment had a mean IHS4 of 7.38 at the beginning of treatment and 3.22 at follow-up (p < 0.05). For patients not on biologics, the initial IHS4 score was 6.21 and 5.42 at follow-up (p > 0.05). Conclusions: A family history of inflammatory diseases and metabolic comorbidities showed a strong correlation with HS severity. Treatment with biologics showed significant improvement in HS scores compared to systemic antibiotics.

Anakinra in Pyogenic Arthritis, Acne, Pyoderma Gangrenosum, and Suppurative Hidradenitis (PAPASH) Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Pyogenic arthritis, acne, pyoderma gangrenosum, and suppurative hidradenitis (PAPASH); pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), and acne; PG, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa; and PG, acne, spondylarthritis (PASS) are all part of a spectrum of autoinflammatory disorders that share similar pathogenesis. They are related to various mutations in the proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1, leading to dysregulation of the innate immune system and overproduction of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-17, and IL-23 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Targeting these cytokines with biologics plays an important role in treatment. Here, we are describing the case of a young male with PAPASH syndrome who was treated with TNF-α and IL-1 inhibitor.

Hidradenitis suppurativa and cardiovascular diseases: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Prior investigation has indicated a link between Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), yet the causal relationship (CR) between these conditions remains unresolved. METHODS: This investigation utilized bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to determine the CR between HS and CVDs. Genetic instruments for both conditions were sourced from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The GWAS summary data for CVD comprised coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), coronary atherosclerosis (CA), ischemic stroke (IS), and chronic heart failure (CHF). Four new approaches were added to the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method for the main analysis: weighted median, weighted MR-Egger, simple mode, and weighted mode. The validity of the causal conclusions was verified by sensitivity tests that included leave-one-out analysis, heterogeneity, and pleiotropy. RESULTS: HS and CAD (OR = 1.024; 95%CI: 1.002-1.046, P = 0.033), MI (OR = 1.001; 95%CI: 1.000-1.002, P = 0.033), and CA (OR = 1.001; 95%CI: 1.000-1.002, P = 0.022) were identified to have a positive CR, according to the IVW analysis. Conversely, no significant association was identified between HS and either IS or CHF. Furthermore, the bidirectional analysis indicated no reverse causation between these diseases. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest a potential CR between HS and CAD, MI, and CA. Additional research is warranted to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying these associations.

Metabolomic and lipidomic fingerprints in inflammatory skin diseases - Systemic illumination of atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa and plaque psoriasis.

Auto-inflammatory skin diseases place considerable symptomatic and emotional burden on the affected and put pressure on healthcare expenditures. Although most apparent symptoms manifest on the skin, the systemic inflammation merits a deeper analysis beyond the surface. We set out to identify systemic commonalities, as well as differences in the metabolome and lipidome when comparing between diseases and healthy controls. Lipidomic and metabolomic LC-MS profiling was applied, using plasma samples collected from patients suffering from atopic dermatitis, plaque-type psoriasis or hidradenitis suppurativa or healthy controls. Plasma profiles revealed a notable shift in the non-enzymatic anti-oxidant defense in all three inflammatory disorders, placing cysteine metabolism at the center of potential dysregulation. Lipid network enrichment additionally indicated the disease-specific provision of lipid mediators associated with key roles in inflammation signaling. These findings will help to disentangle the systemic components of autoimmune dermatological diseases, paving the way to individualized therapy and improved prognosis.

Anti-IL17 Secukinumab in hidradenitis suppurativa: A long-term drug survival analysis.

Real-world data on the long-term effectiveness of the anti-IL17 agent secukinumab in treating moderate-to-severe Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are lacking. In this study, 24 patients with moderate-severe HS received five weekly subcutaneous injections followed by maintenance doses every 4 weeks. Primary outcomes included HiSCR, IHS4 reduction, and DLQI measures assessed at 12-week intervals. The median secukinumab drug survival was 16.0 months (range 3-51), with a 56.5% maximal response rate at 6 months and dropout exceeding 40% at 1 year. Baseline disease burden emerged as a key predictor of treatment response, overshadowing factors like sex or BMI. Prior systemic steroid use negatively impacts drug survival. The study underscores the critical 6-month window for assessing treatment efficacy, emphasizing the importance of initial induction dosing. Additionally, the newly developed scoring system, IHS4-55, showed analogies to the older HiSCR score in capturing treatment response. In this real-life scenario, challenges persist in HS management, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches and predictive markers.

Adopting adalimumab combined surgery in the management of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa: Experience from a single medical center in southern Taiwan.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the intertriginous and anogenital regions. Guidelines recommend various treatments for HS, including biologic agents like adalimumab for moderate to severe cases. Adalimumab is a type of human monoclonal IgG1 antibody designed to target tumor necrosis factor α. Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of adalimumab, either alone or combined with surgery, in managing HS. We retrospectively analyzed the medical chart of HS patients in a southern Taiwan medical center from 2019 to 2022 and investigated clinical features and treatment response. The institutional review board at Chang Gung Medical Foundation granted approval for the study. We primarily focused on moderate to severely affected patients. One hundred and two clinically diagnosed HS patients participated, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1 and an average age of 31.8 at diagnosis. Among them, 41.2% were in Hurley stage III and 32.4% in stage II. Nineteen patients received excision with pre-surgical adalimumab; their average age at diagnosis was 31.1, with a gender ratio of 5.3:1. Surgery was most common on the buttocks (68%), axillae (21%), and groin (10%). Excision patients were primarily in advanced stages (Hurley III 94.7%, II 5.3%) with high body mass index. Adalimumab and surgery combined yielded a 68.4% improvement rate, while 15.8% remained stable and 15.8% did not respond as expected. In addition, smoking and obesity were prevalent among patients. Adalimumab showed promising results in moderate to severe HS, with significant improvement observed in our cases. The combination of adalimumab and surgery appeared effective in advanced HS patients with larger involved areas and more tunnels. No severe adverse events were reported. However, our study was limited by its retrospective nature and the lack of a control group. Despite these limitations, our study revealed the benefits of integrating adalimumab with suitable surgical procedures in managing patients experiencing moderate to severe HS in real-world scenarios.

Ultrasonography of Facial and Submandibular Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Concomitance with Acne Vulgaris.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the ultrasound characteristics of facial and submandibular hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and detect acne vulgaris (AV) concomitance in these cases. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of the ultrasound images of patients with facial HS who had been clinically evaluated by dermatologists. The reported ultrasound diagnostic criteria, severity (mSOS-HS), and activity (US-HAS) staging of HS were used to categorize the patients. The finding of fragments of hair tracts within the key lesions (dilated hair follicles, pseudocysts, fluid collections, and tunnels) was considered a pivotal sign to discriminate HS from AV. Demographic and morphological analysis of the images were considered. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients met the criteria (78.8% male/21.2% female). Of these, the mSOS- HS scoring was stage I in 51.5%, stage II in 27.3%, and stage III in 21.2%. Dilation of the hair follicles and the presence of pseudocysts, fluid collections, and tunnels were detected in the HS cases; 63.1% of pseudocysts, 62.4% of tunnels, and 46.2% of fluid collections contained fragments of hair tracts. In all HS cases, there was a key lesion(s) with fragments of hair tracts. Four (12.1%) patients showed concomitant facial HS and acne ultrasound lesions. The acne lesions were pseudocysts without inner hair tract fragments in all cases, and the SOS-Acne scoring was stage II for all of them. CONCLUSION: Facial HS can be detected on ultrasound and shows a morphology similar to that of HS in other corporal regions. In some cases, facial HS could be concomitant with AV. The subclinical ultrasonographic information can support a better management of these cases.

DETERMINANT FACTORS OF DISEASE SEVERITY FOR PATIENTS WITH HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA EVALUATED IN A SPANISH HOSPITAL OVER A 5-YEAR PERIOD.

It is necessary to identify which factors or comorbidities are associated with more severe hidradenitis suppurativa, aiming to identify which patients may benefit more from early systemic treatment or a more aggressive approach. A retrospective study was conducted, including patients diagnosed with HS at the dermatology department of a Spanish hospital over a 5-year period. A total of 322 patients were included. A relationship was found between diagnostic delay, the presence of acne conglobata, pilonidal sinus, cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and/or diabetes mellitus) and more severe HS. No significant relationship was found between psychiatric comorbidities and the severity of the HS. The presence of perianal or truncal involvement was significantly associated with severe HS. Female sex and the presence of a family history of HS were associated with an earlier onset of the disease.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of bimekizumab for hidradenitis suppurativa: An ambispective observational study.

In this original research, we present the results in terms of effectiveness and safety of bimekizumab for hidradenitis suppurativa in real clinical practice. Results indicated significant improvement in all activity scores and patient-reported outcomes at week 16, including a notable decrease in mean IHS4 from 27.1 to 15.6 (p < 0.001), HS-PGA from 5.1 to 3.2 (p < 0.001), VAS pain from 8.3 to 4.7 (p < 0.001) and DLQI from 21.6 to 12.6 (p < 0.001). Bimekizumab, administered every 2 or 4 weeks, was well-tolerated with no discontinuations and no new safety concerns identified. These findings corroborate the drug's effectiveness and favourable safety profile observed in phase 3 clinical trials, supporting its use in real-world clinical practice for treating HS.

Causal relationship between metabolic syndrome and hidradenitis suppurativa: A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

Observational studies have suggested an association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), but whether this relationship is causal remains unclear. Elucidating the causal direction could provide insights into disease mechanisms and potential interventions. We performed bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of MetS and HS. For validation, we replicated the MetS analysis using data from an independent GWAS. We applied multiple MR methods, primarily inverse variance-weighted (IVW) regression, and conducted sensitivity analyses to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. The MR analysis demonstrated MetS causally increased HS risk (IVW odds ratio [OR], 1.428 [95% CI, 1.193-1.710]; p < 0.001), with consistent evidence from sensitivity analyses. However, HS did not appear to causally influence MetS risk (IVW OR, 1.008 [95% CI, 0.988-1.028]; p = 0.438). This study provides evidence that MetS causally increases the risk of developing HS. However, we found no evidence for a causal relationship in the reverse direction from HS to MetS. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the identified causal association between MetS and subsequent HS development.