RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease with high burden for patients and limited treatment options. We recently analyzed the efficacy of local treatment with LAight therapy, a combination of intense pulsed light (IPL) and radiofrequency (RF). OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present survey was to compare care of HS patients under LAight with standard care prior to therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study included 111 patients who were treated with LAight at least 5 times between 01/2014 and 03/2017. Primary endpoint was the change in surgical interventions. Secondary endpoints included additional patient-reported outcomes, e.g., effects on their quality of life. RESULTS: In all, 50 completed surveys were available for evaluation. Under LAight therapy, the number of surgical interventions decreased from 3.2 to 0.3 per year (pâ¯< 0.001). Secondary endpoints were also significantly improved: The days of sick leave/year due to HS decreased from 30.4 to 7.2 (pâ¯= 0.002), and the number of doctor appointments due to HS flare ups was altered from 7.3 to 1.5 (pâ¯< 0.001). In line, patient-reported pain levels, general wellbeing and quality of life were also improved. CONCLUSION: This retrospective assessment of patient-reported treatment outcomes of 50 HS cases after treatment with LAight revealed a significant reduction of required surgical interventions and sick-days along with improved quality of life. Thus, it appears that IPLâ¯+ RF treatment not only improves disease activity, but also secondary care aspects. Future studies will need to confirm these findings in a controlled setting.