Table of contents
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Background
Overview
Definition
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful, suppurative lesions in apocrine gland-bearing areas.
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Pathophysiology
Hidradenitis suppurativa is caused by immune dysregulation in the terminal follicular epithelium and is thought to occur due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors.
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Epidemiology
Estimates of the prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa globally range from 0.03% to 4%. The incidence of hidradenitis suppurativa in the US is 8.6 per 100,000 population/year.
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Disease course
The dysregulated innate and adaptive immune response leads to perifollicular inflammation, hyperkeratosis, and occlusion of hair follicles in apocrine gland-bearing areas. Spillage of sebum and debris occurs due to rupture of dilated hair follicles, triggering an inflammatory response and the development of painful, inflamed nodules, abscesses, fistulas, and sinus tracts.
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Prognosis and risk of recurrence
Hidradenitis suppurativa is associated with increased all-cause mortality (incidence rate ratio 1.35, 95% CI, 1.15-1.59). Recurrence rates vary according to treatment, with rates of 13%, 22%, and 27% reported following wide excision, local excision, and deroofing, respectively.
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Guidelines
Key sources
The following summarized guidelines for the evaluation and management of hidradenitis suppurativa are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD 2019) and the United States Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (USHSF/CHSF 2019).
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Classification and risk stratification
Severity grading: as per BAD 2019 guidelines, document the Hurley stage at baseline for the worst-affected region in all patients with hidradenitis suppurativa:
Situation
Guidance
Stage I
Abscess formation, single or multiple, without sinus tracts and cicatrization
Stage II
Recurrent abscesses with tract formation and cicatrization, single or multiple, widely separated lesions
Stage III
Diffuse or near-diffuse involvement, or multiple interconnected tracts and abscesses across the entire area
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Diagnostic investigations
Laboratory tests
As per CHSF/USHSF 2019 guidelines:
Do not obtain routine microbiologic testing unless signs of secondary infection such as surrounding cellulitis or fever are present. Recognize that a negative culture may support a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa based on consensus-derived diagnostic criteria.
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Do not obtain biomarker or genetic testing in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
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Screening for comorbidities
Medical management
General principles
As per BAD 2019 guidelines:
Manage patients with hidradenitis suppurativa via a multidisciplinary team approach, particularly when considering surgical interventions.
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Consider referring patients with Hurley stage III (severe) disease immediately to dermatology secondary care.
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Antibiotics (systemic)
Antibiotics (topical)
Antiandrogen therapy
Retinoids
Corticosteroids
Other immunosuppressants
Biologic agents
Agents with no evidence for benefit
Pain management
Nonpharmacologic interventions
Lifestyle modifications: as per BAD 2019 guidelines, refer patients with hidradenitis suppurativa to smoking cessation and weight management services, if relevant.
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Supplements
Therapeutic procedures
Intralesional corticosteroids: as per BAD 2019 guidelines, consider administering intralesional corticosteroid injections in carefully selected hidradenitis suppurativa lesions during the acute phase.
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Laser and light therapies
Therapies with no evidence for benefit
Perioperative care
Surgical interventions
Surgery: as per CHSF/USHSF 2019 guidelines, perform deroofing or excision for recurrent nodules and tunnels.
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Wound care
Specific circumstances
Pregnant patients
As per CHSF/USHSF 2019 guidelines:
Offer topical treatments, procedures, and safe systemic agents in pregnant patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
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Avoid using retinoids, hormonal agents, most systemic antibiotics, and most immunosuppressive medications in pregnant patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
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