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Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Background and objectives: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)/Acne inversa (Ai) is a chronic debilitating disease with limited therapy options. The device‐based LAight therapy was approved in Europe in 2017. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of real‐world care with at least one treatment with LAight therapy on disease activity and burden in 3,437 patients. Patients and Methods: Patients were included in the analysis if they had a diagnosis of HS and received at least one treatment. The endpoints Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4), pain on the numeric rating scale (pain‐NRS) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were analyzed using a linear mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) over 26 weeks of care with LAight therapy. Furthermore, responder rates were calculated for all endpoints, and the therapy's safety profile and patient satisfaction were thoroughly examined. Results: A significant decrease in IHS4, pain‐NRS, and DLQI was achieved during 26 weeks of care with LAight. The BMI at baseline had a significant negative effect on therapy response for pain‐NRS and DLQI. Conclusions: This study confirms that LAight therapy leads to satisfactory disease control in all stages of severity and is a valuable addition to the therapeutic repertoire of HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, often affecting and deforming intimate regions. HS is associated with severe pain, pruritus, and constant, purulent, malodorous discharge expected to impair sexual health of patients. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, multicentric study involving 199 German patients from the health services research project "Epidemiology and Care in Acne inversa (EpiCAi)." The sexual health, HS severity, and quality of life of the studied group were evaluated using a specially designed questionnaire. Results: Regardless of gender, HS has an enormous impact on patients' sexual health. The patients scored, on average, 28.8 ± 5.3 points on the Relation and Sexuality Scale (RSS). Multiple linear regression revealed that females and patients with Hurley III stage had higher sexual dysfunction (p = 0.012). Sexual dysfunction is associated with pain (β = 0.25), the number of active lesions, the affected areas (β = 0.14), and psychosocial aspects, including low quality of life (β = 0.404), stigmatization (β = 0.411), depression (β = 0.413), and anxiety (β = 0.300). Patients already see a substantial decrease in sexual frequency in the early stages of HS, while functional impairment and fear increase with the severity of the disease. Conclusion: Sexual health and management of its dysfunctions should be part of a holistic approach to HS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acne is a common skin condition affecting both adolescents and adults, and it can profoundly impact patients' quality of life and mental well-being. This prospective cross-sectional study aims to explore the differences in psychosocial aspects between male and female acne patients in Poland. A total of 104 consecutive acne patients were included in this study. Clinical severity, patients' quality of life, stigmatization levels, and psychiatric disturbances were evaluated using the following instruments: Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), 6-Item Stigmatization Scale (6-ISS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This study found that female patients exhibited significantly less severe acne and experienced significantly decreased quality of life and increased levels of stigmatization. Furthermore, anxiety levels among female patients exceeded those observed in their male counterparts. Notably, no disparities in the severity of depression were observed between the two gender groups. Correlations were discerned among all psychosocial parameters in the entire study cohort and in the female subgroup, while such correlations were not uniformly observed among male participants. This study underscores the importance of considering psychosocial aspects and implementing routine measurements in the management of acne to improve patients' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Current understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) links the disease with proinflammatory activation and autoimmune processes. This study investigated serum levels of interleukin (IL)-22, a cytokine critically involved in epithelial homeostasis, in the context of the broad clinical spectrum of patients with HS. The study also assessed the relationship between serum IL-22 and pro-inflammatory activation (as evidenced by serum level of IL-6) and serum hepcidin (central regulator of systemic iron homeostasis). Serum concentrations of IL-22 were assessed in 74 patients with HS and 15 healthy subjects. Compared with healthy controls, patients with HS demonstrated decreased levels of serum IL-22 (median; interquartile range (IQR): 12.4 pg/ml (9.8; 23.5) vs 34.8 pg/ml (24.8; 39.8), p < 0.001 vs controls). Disease severity (assessed both with Hurley staging and Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Index) did not differentiate IL-22 levels (p > 0.1 in both comparisons). Serum levels of IL-22 and IL-6 did not correlate with each other (R=-0.17, p = ns). In a subgroup of 24 patients with HS with pro-inflammatory activation, the mean level of IL-22 was similar to that of the remaining patients (median (IQR): 9.8 pg/ml (8.5; 15.0) vs 12.0 pg/ml (9.4; 16.3), p = ns). Patients with HS demonstrated a decreased level of hepcidin (mean: 31.3 ± 25.9 pg/ml), which correlated with the levels of IL-22 (R=0.36, p < 0.05). Patients with HS demonstrated significantly decreased levels of serum IL-22, which was neither correlated with pro-inflammatory status nor associated with disease severity, but correlated modestly with serum hepcidin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HS has an unpredictable course and is challenging to treat due to the limited therapeutic options and long diagnostic delay.1 It is not surprising that patients with younger age at disease onset and with severe forms are at risk of higher disease burden.2 Thus, we aimed to better characterize the clinical features of paediatric-onset HS. Dear Editor, Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic recurrent immune-mediated skin disease usually observed during the second and third decades of life, but it can also occur in children and adolescents. The male patients were generally older than the female patients [median 16-5 years, interquartile range (IQR) 15-3-17 vs. 15-5, IQR 14-3-16; I P i = 0-006] and had also a later age at HS onset (15 years, IQR 13-3-16 vs. 14, IQR 12-3-15; I P i = 0-05). [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Superficial dermatophytoses constitute a common and growing problem in India. However, the associated impact on the affected individuals' quality of life (QoL) has rarely been investigated. Aim: To assess the quality of life of patients with different dermatophytoses. Material and methods: Among 100 consecutive Indian patients with dermatophytosis, 76% agreed to participate. The diagnosis was established upon the typical clinical manifestation and direct microscopic mycological examination (10% KOH). Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was utilized to assess QoL impairment. Participants evaluated the presence and intensity of itch during the last 3 days using Numeral Rating Scale (NRS). Results: A combination of tinea corporis and tinea cruris was diagnosed most commonly (52.6%), followed by tinea cruris alone (21%) and tinea corporis alone (13.2%). The mean duration of the disease was assessed as 6.3 ±18.0 months. The mean DLQI score was 8.2 ±5.1 points. A very large and extremely large effect on the DLQI was reported by 26.3% of patients, moderate by 40.8%, whereas small by 29%, with females being more heavily affected than males (9.3 ±5.2 and 7.1 ±4.7 points, respectively) (p = 0.038). Patients with a combination of tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea faciei demonstrated the lowest QoL (11.0 ±4.5 points). Additionally, a significant correlation between impairment of QoL and itch intensity (mean NRS score: 6.8 ±1.8 points) (r = 0.37; p < 0.002) was documented. Moreover, there was a trend towards lower QoL in patients who have been previously treated with topical agents containing corticosteroids. Conclusions: Superficial dermatophytoses are associated with a moderate impact on QoL of the affected subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proinflammatory activation and autoimmune processes underlie the pathophysiology of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Iron deficiency (ID) is frequently present in inflammation-mediated chronic diseases, irrespective of anemia.Objectives: We aimed to characterize iron status in patients with HS.Methods: Serum concentrations of ferritin, transferrin saturation (Tsat), soluble transferrin receptor and hepcidin were assessed as the biomarkers of iron status in 74 patients with HS and 44 healthy subjects. ID was defined as ferritin <100 µg/L or ferritin 100-299 µg/L with Tsat <20% (following the definition used in the other studies in chronic disease).Results: Compared with controls, patients with HS demonstrated a deranged iron status as evidenced by decreased levels of ferritin (91 ± 87 vs. 157 ± 99 µg/L), Tsat (21.5 ± 10.8 vs. 42.2 ± 11.7%) and hepcidin (31.3 ± 25.9 vs. 44.2 ± 22.0 ng/mL) (all p < 0.05 vs. controls). There was also a trend toward higher values of soluble transferrin receptor (1.23 ± 0.35 vs. 1.12 ± 0.19 mg/L) (p = 0.09 vs. controls). Disease severity (assessed with the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Index and the 3-degree Hurley scale) did not differentiate iron status biomarkers. ID was present in 75% of HS patients, and its prevalence was not related with disease severity (Hurley I/II/III - 82 vs. 73 vs. 67%). In HS, none of the iron status biomarkers correlated with the levels of interleukin-6 (a marker of proinflammatory activation).Conclusions: The majority of HS patients demonstrate derangements in iron status typical of ID. These abnormalities are neither related to proinflammatory activation nor associated with disease severity. Whether it may have a therapeutic impact needs to be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigmatization is defined as having a discrediting mark that leads to social discrimination and alienation. The aim of this study was to estimate the level of stigmatization experienced by patients with psoriasis. A total of 102 individuals with psoriasis were recruited and was assessed using the 6-item Stigmatization Scale and the 33-item Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire. In addition, quality of life, stress and depression were evaluated. The majority of patients felt that they were stigmatized by psoriasis. The most bothersome aspect was that other people stared at their skin changes. According to the 33-item questionnaire, anticipation of rejection and feelings of guilt and shame were the major aspects of stigmatization, the level of which correlated significantly with pruritus intensity, stress prior to exacerbation, depressive symptoms and quality of life. In order to decrease the stigmatization level in patients with psoriasis, greater effort is needed to raise awareness in contemporary societies that psoriasis is not contagious, but is a disease like many other chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acquired perforating dermatosis (APD) is an uncommon skin disorder seen in majority among patients with chronic kidney disease and also in those with diabetes mellitus. We present the clinicopathological features of APD in a 65-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus and end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis and review the recent advances in the management of APD, as well as the mechanisms of transepidermal elimination of perforating dermatoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]