[Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa]

Management and Burden of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: An Italian Hybrid Real-World Study

INTRODUCTION

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that severely impacts quality of life and carries a substantial economic burden.

METHODS

This multicenter observational study generated real-world evidence on HS in Italy, focusing on clinical profiles, management, and costs. Data were collected from 50 adults at four specialized centers, combining primary data with retrospective administrative data.

RESULTS

Patients with moderate-to-severe disease had longer diagnostic delays (median 1.8 versus 0.7 years), lower symptom control (40.7% versus 95.2%), and worse quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index: 11.8 versus 8.0) than those with mild disease. Furthermore, HS was associated with higher costs in moderate-to-severe cases, including greater direct (€2214 versus €873) and indirect expenses (€2435 versus €262).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the social and economic burden of HS and emphasize the need for increased healthcare awareness for earlier diagnosis and better management.

Interleukin-17 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating, inflammatory dermatosis that significantly impacts patients' quality of life, primarily manifesting as inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and tunnels. The pathogenesis of HS is not fully understood and appears to be multifactorial, involving genetic, immunological, and endocrinological factors, as well as dysbiosis of skin microbiota. Increasing evidence highlights the role of the interleukin (IL)-17 pathway in the inflammatory process and pathogenesis of HS. Consequently, IL-17 inhibitors have emerged as a promising alternative to current therapies. Recently, secukinumab received approval from both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), while bimekizumab received approval from the EMA, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe HS in adults, with ongoing clinical trials aiming to further clarify the efficacy and safety of other drugs within this class. IL-17 inhibitors have shown effectiveness in treating moderate-to-severe HS, with safety profiles of drugs such as secukinumab and bimekizumab being comparable to their use in other dermatological conditions. On the other hand, innovative drugs such as sonelokimab and izokibep show promising results and are currently in phase III clinical trials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and scientific advances in HS, focusing on the IL-17 pathway's role and its inhibition as a treatment strategy, alongside examining the most recent and significant clinical studies on various IL-17 inhibitors in the treatment of HS.

[Letter to the Editor - "Guidelines for Management of Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa": The Importance of Collaboration with Infectious Diseases]

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[Letter to the Editor: Guidelines for Management of Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa]

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