Search

Background: Previously, a new dichotomous outcome was developed, calculated as 55% reduction in the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa 4 (IHS4-55) score. It was validated in datasets of adalimumab and placebo-treated HS patients. External validation is an important aspect of clinical outcomes. Objectives: We aimed to externally validate the novel dichotomous IHS4-55 in a non-biologic treated dataset of HS patients. Methods: Data from a previously published European-wide prospective clinical study of antibiotic treatment of HS patients were used to assess the association of IHS4-55 achievement with individual reduction in inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and draining tunnels. Moreover, the associations between IHS4-55 positivity and achievement of the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) Pain, and NRS Pruritus were analyzed. Results: Data were obtained from 283 individual patients, of which 36.4% (103/283) were treated with clindamycin and rifampicin and 63.6% (180/283) with tetracyclines for 12 weeks. Achievers of the IHS4-55 demonstrated a significant reduction the counts of inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and draining tunnels (all p < 0.001). Additionally, IHS4-55 achievers had an odds ratio for achieving the MCID of DLQI, NRS Pain, and NRS Pruritus of 2.16 (95% CI 1.28–3.65, p < 0.01), 1.79 (95% CI 1.10–2.91, p < 0.05), and 1.95 (95% CI 1.18–3.22, p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusions: This study shows the external validity of the novel IHS4-55 by demonstrating a significant association between IHS4-55 achievement and a reduction in inflammatory lesion counts as well as achievement of MCIDs for DLQI, NRS Pain, and NRS Pruritus in an antibiotic-treated cohort. These findings support the use of the IHS4-55 as a novel primary outcome measure in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition substantially impacting patients' quality of life; the pathogenesis remains unclear, and treatment is complex and not yet standardized. Observational data are increasingly being used to evaluate therapeutics in "real-life" interventions, and the development of e-cohorts is offering new tools for epidemiological studies at the population level. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment history of HS participants in the Community of Patients for Research (ComPaRe) cohort and to compare these to other cohorts. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of the baseline data of HS participants in ComPaRe, an e-cohort of patients with chronic diseases. Data were collected using patient-reported questionnaires about clinical-dem-ographic aspects, quality of life, and treatment history. Results: A total of 396 participants (339 females, 57 males) were included (mean age 38 years); 83 (21%) had a family history of HS, 227 (57.3%) were current smokers, and 241 (60.9%) were overweight or obese. Most of the participants declared a Hurley stage II (n = 263, 66.4%) or III (n = 76, 20.3%). The breast was more frequently affected in women than men (37.5 vs. 5.3%, p < 0.0001), whereas the dorsal region was more frequently affected in men (39.5 vs. 10.9%, p < 0.0001). Increased disease stage was associated with obesity (25.9 vs. 33.8 vs. 51.3%, p = 0.02) and some HS localizations (genital [p < 0.005], pubis [p < 0.007], gluteal fold [p = 0.02], and groin [p < 0.0001]). The most frequently prescribed treatments were oral antibiotics (n = 362, 91.4%), especially amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cyclins. Less than 10% of participants received biologics. Most of these results were consistent with previously published cohorts. Conclusion: Recruitment of participants by such a web platform can be a faster way to get relevant scientific data for a wide variety of patients that could be used for epidemiological studies and to evaluate therapeutics in "real-life" interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The reasons or the motivations that compel people to get a tattoo or a body piercing (BP) are plentiful and personal. Patients with chronic cutaneous or systemic conditions may be interested in getting tattooed or pierced.Objective: To determine the frequency of body art practices in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and to evaluate the possible impact of HS in the decision-making process.Methods: An anonymous specific paper-based questionnaire was prospectively offered to patients (≥18 years) consecutively managed for HS from September 2016 to March 2017 in a French specialized center.Results: In total, 209 patients participated in the study, of whom 77 (37%) and 50 (24%) had tattoos and BP, respectively. These proportions were higher than those reported in the French population. HS prevented the decision to get a BP or a tattoo in 2 and 5%, respectively (fear of infection or healing difficulties). Fifteen patients (7%) got tattooed to hide a surgical HS scar (n = 5, 2%), to regain control over the pain or their bodies (n = 9, 4%), or to turn others' eyes away from HS lesions or scars (n = 1, 0.5%). HS severity influenced a proportion of patients who intended to get a new tattoo.Conclusion: HS is associated with a significant increase in body art practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The factors that determine whether an area of the body will be affected by hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are unknown.Methods: To address these factors, we performed multivariate regression analyses in a cohort of 1,138 patients.Results: We found that the body sites affected occurred in specific combinations that were influenced by sex and body mass index. We also revealed unexpected correlations between some sites and other comorbidities such as inflammatory diseases, acne conglobata, or dissecting folliculitis of the scalp.Conclusion: Such correlations are crucial to unravel a disease as variable as HS and identify pathophysiological mechanisms to enable the provision of personalized management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dr. van Straalen relevantly points that Hurley stage is a categorical variable and therefore suggests to report odds for Hurley stage II and III with Hurley stage I as the reference category [[1]]. Sir, We have read the comments of Dr. van Straalen with great interest [[1]]. Dr. van Straalen furthermore suggests combining sites in what she calls "more accepted" anatomical regions would be of interest [[1]]. [Extracted from the article]

Andersen and Alsing for their interest in our recent paper on tattooing in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) [[1]]. A significant increase in body art practices, particularly tattooing, was reported by HS patients [[1]]. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: Bipolar disorders; Lithium therapy; Hidradenitis suppurativa EN Bipolar disorders Lithium therapy Hidradenitis suppurativa 305 306 2 07/17/20 20200701 NES 200701 Dear Editor, We read with great interest the paper recently published in Dermatology by Tzur Bitan et al. [[1]], demonstrating a significant link between hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and bipolar disorders. Through a nation-wide population-based study on 4,191 HS patients and 20,941 age- and gender-matched controls, they found a significant proportion of bipolar disorders among HS patients: 0.7% vs. 0.1% in the controls. The diagnosis and the treatment of bipolar disorders must be considered as a crucial point in the therapeutic management of HS patients. [Extracted from the article]