Hidradenitis suppurativa
About this PSP
The UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network set up this PSP and worked with patients (including The Hidradenitis Suppurativa Trust), carers, dermatologists, dermatology nurses, GPs, surgeons, and psychologists. 609 people responded to the initial survey, submitting 1,432 questions/statements for the PSP to review.
The Hidradenitis Suppurativa PSP Top 10 was published in December 2013.
Key documents
Top 10 priorities
Please click on each question for more detailed information:
- What is the most effective and safe group of oral treatments in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa? (e.g. antibiotics, hormonal treatments, retinoids, immunosuppressants, metformin, steroids)
- What is the best management of an acute flare?
- What is the impact of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and the treatments on people with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (physical, psychological, financial, social, quality of life)?
- How effective are biologics (etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab) in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- Does early diagnosis and aggressive treatment influence the course of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- What is the best surgical procedure to perform in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa e.g. incision & drainage, local excision, wide excision?
- Which factors are useful in determining the prognosis (disease progression) of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- What is the best method of wound care after surgery or for active disease? (e.g. Skin grafts, secondary intention, dressings)
- To what extent is Hidradenitis Suppurativa caused by genetic factors?
- What is the best management of pain associated with Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
The following questions were also discussed and put in order of priority at the workshop:
- Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa an autoimmune disease?
- How do we improve awareness of Hidradenitis Suppurativa amongst healthcare professionals?
- How effective are oral treatment that affect the immune system (eg. Dapsone, ciclosporin, methotrexate, prednisolone) in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- When is the best time to consider surgery to treat Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- How effective are topical antiseptics in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa? (soap, demol, hibiscrub, chlorine)
- How effective are retinoids i.e. acitretin, isotretinoin in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa? (dose, duration)
- How much do hormonal factors (puberty, menstruation, polycystic ovary syndrome, menopause) affect the severity of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- Which oral antibiotic regimen is the most effective in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa? (e.g. dosage and duration: penicillins, tetracyclines, combined clindamycin and rifampicin)
- How effective and safe are short term or long term oral antibiotics for Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- How effective are hormone therapies, including spironolactone, for Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- Is there an effective method (lifestyle, medical or surgery) of reducing frequency of flares/spread of lesions caused by Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- Does weight reduction improve symptoms in people with Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- How effective is metformin in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- What causes the itching that can be associated with Hidradenitis Suppurativa and how can it be controlled?
- Is surgery effective in treating Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- What is the best psychological support for people with Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- Does smoking affect Hidradenitis Suppurativa? (disease trigger and severity)
- Does diet have any effect on the severity of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- Does stress trigger a flare of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
- Are natural products or dietary supplements (e.g. turmeric, zinc, vitamin B12, serocytols) effective for the treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa?
To see more uncertainties identified for Hidradenitis Suppurativa, please see the PSP's spreadsheet of data (pdf, 176.71 KB) (.PDF)