The Clinical Significance of Increased Serum Proinflammatory Cytokines, C-Reactive Protein, and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

OBJECTIVES: To assess inflammatory serum markers including serum proinflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) according to the clinical inflammatory activity of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients with HS were studied based on the Hidradenitis Suppurativa-Physician Global Assessment (HS-PGA) score and Hurley staging system. Proinflammatory cytokines were measured using a multiplex cytokine assay. Twenty-two healthy volunteers were recruited. RESULTS: Serum interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-23, soluble tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) receptor I (sTNF-RI), CRP, and ESR were different in the patients with HS compared with those in the healthy controls (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, sTNF-RII, CRP, and ESR were significantly elevated according to inflammatory activity based on HS-PGA scores (r > 0.25, P < 0.05). The levels of IL-6 (r = 0.53, P < 0.001), CRP (r = 0.54, P < 0.001), and ESR (r = 0.60, P < 0.001) were especially well correlated with clinical inflammatory activity based on HS-PGA scores. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, CRP, and ESR were significantly elevated according to Hurley staging system. CONCLUSIONS: Serum proinflammatory cytokines, CRP, and ESR are increased in relation to the clinical inflammatory activity of patients with HS compared with healthy controls. Serum IL-6, CRP, and ESR are effective biomarkers for evaluating the severity of HS.

Vesiculobullous variant of erythema elevatum diutinum.

The vesiculobullous variant of erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) is a very rare variant of EED. We describe a 16-year-old boy who presented with symmetrical nodular lesions accompanied by vesicles on the dorsa of his hands. Biopsy findings were consistent with EED. The histopathological presence of IgA and neutrophils in the vesicles indicates that the joint action of both is responsible for formation of these subepidermic vesicles. We hypothesize that absence of human leucocyte antigen related to dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) in our patient might have influenced the location and distribution of the lesions, so that they were not typical of DH. We report the second case of the vesiculobullous variant of EED with IgA deposits in the dermoepidermal membrane. To our knowledge, there are only 14 previously reported cases of the vesiculobullous variant of EED.

Management of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. / Manejo del paciente con hidradenitis supurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with a high prevalence in the population. Treatment options are both medical and surgical. Medical treatment is based on the use of antibiotics, retinoids, and anti-inflammatory drugs, in which anti-TNFα agents (infliximab y adalimumab) play a central role in the treatment of moderate-to-severe HS and enjoy the highest level of scientific support. Currently, adalimumab is the only drug approved in the summary of product characteristics for the treatment of this disease. Due to the scarcity of clinical trials in HS, there is still no therapeutic guideline backed by solid evidence and the evidence for most drugs is low. However, early treatment in patients with HS would probably reduce the complications of this disease. This review analyses the distinct treatments used in this dermatological disease and provides a therapeutic algorithm with different treatment options.

Calcinosis Cutis and Calciphylaxis.

Calcinosis cutis (CC) is defined as the deposition of calcium salts in the skin. The condition is divided into 5 types: calciphylaxis and dystrophic, metastatic, idiopathic, and iatrogenic CC. Dystrophic CC is the most common form and usually occurs in association with autoimmune diseases. CC can be treated surgically or with the use of drugs such as diltiazem, bisphosphonates, warfarin, ceftriaxone, probenecid, minocycline, or aluminum hydroxide. Calciphylaxis is defined as calcification of the media of small- and medium-sized blood vessels in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Clinically, calciphylaxis causes livedo racemosa, which progresses to retiform purpura and skin necrosis. First-line treatment is with sodium thiosulfate. We present a review of the calcifying disorders of the skin, focusing on their diagnosis and treatment.

An Update on Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Part I): Epidemiology, Clinical Aspects, and Definition of Disease Severity.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disorder that has attracted increasing attention in recent years due to underestimations of prevalence and the considerable impact of the condition on interpersonal relationships, physical appearance, self-esteem, and body image. Although hidradenitis suppurative has a significant psychological impact on patients and can even cause physical limitations when thick scarring results in limb mobility limitation, until very recently little evidence was available relating to its epidemiology, etiology, or pathogenesis. In this review, we highlight the latest advances in our understanding of the epidemiological and clinical aspects of hidradenitis suppurativa. We will also look at the different classification systems for hidradenitis suppurativa and discuss the emergence of skin ultrasound as a promising technique for monitoring the course of this chronic inflammatory disease.

Update on Hidradenitis Suppurative (Part II): Treatment.

Although hidradenitis suppurativa is a common and serious skin condition, its treatment is not well established. It is now accepted that the moderate and severe forms of the disease are associated with marked systemic inflammation. The goal of treatment in hidradenitis suppurative is therefore to achieve systemic control of inflammation. In some cases, surgery may also be necessary to reduce the severity of the manifestations of cutaneous inflammation. Recent advances in our understanding of hidradenitis suppurativa have been accompanied by the emergence of novel approaches to its treatment, including the use of certain biologic drugs. Several clinical trials have been undertaken to test the effects of biologics (mainly adalimumab) in this setting. In this review, we analyze the different treatments available for hidradenitis suppurativa.