Real-life management of psoriasis with biological agents during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: French guidelines recommend stopping biologic treatment of psoriasis between 3 and 24 weeks before conception in accordance with the relevant Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the real-life practice of dermatologists in the management of pregnant women with psoriasis previously treated with biologic agents. We wished to assess the level of practitioner adherence to the relevant SmPCs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a study in collaboration with GRPso and Resopso. A computerized questionnaire was completed by the practitioners. We performed descriptive statistics and studied the profile of the practitioners, their level of confidence with continuation of biological agents during pregnancy, and their reported practices on the use of biological agents in pregnancy. Statistical analyses were performed using XLSTAT. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 63 dermatologists (women: 71%; mean age 43.8 years) participated in this study, the majority of whom were hospital-based (87%). Recommendations were followed by 36.5% of practitioners, while 44% reported discontinuing biologic agents on diagnosis of pregnancy, and 20.5% reported using these agents during pregnancy. Among dermatologists with more than ten years of experience, 19% reported following the SmPC. Among dermatologists with a patient base >200 (patients treated with biologic agents for psoriasis), 19% reported following the SmPC compared to 54% of practitioners with less than 50 patients. The mean age of dermatologists following the SmPC was 41 years vs. 47 years for those not following the SmPC. DISCUSSION: The majority of practitioners do not follow recommendations on discontinuation of biologic agents before the planning of pregnancy by patients.

A narrative review of the definition of 'flare' in hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition that can have periodic worsening or flares. Measurement of flare is important because it can inform treatment efficacy; however, it is unclear how HS flare should be defined. OBJECTIVES: This study reviewed the literature for definitions of HS flare. METHODS: The PubMed MEDLINE online database was searched on 10 January 2018 and the search was repeated on 8 December 2018 for new publications. Titles and abstracts were screened for inclusion. Subsequently, full articles were screened for inclusion. Papers were included if the publication was a systematic review, clinical trial, cohort study, case report or series, or cross-sectional study. Studies were excluded if they were journalistic reviews, did not discuss clinical findings of HS or did not use the words 'flare', 'exacerbation', 'relapse' or 'recurrence'. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-four papers were identified and 154 fulfilled the study criteria. Of these, 27 (17.5%) included the term 'flare' and 16 (10.4%) included the term 'exacerbation'. Two of the 27 papers (7%) defined the term flare and both included patient report of changes in symptoms or signs. One of 16 papers (6%) defined exacerbation, which was taken as one new HS lesion. The terms 'recurrence' and 'relapse' were more apt to be defined: 13% (13 of 100) and 14% (six of 44), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of a specific and measurable definition of HS flare is a barrier to assessment of this important outcome. Once a specific and measurable definition is established, validated and reliable measures of HS flare can be incorporated into future studies. What's already known about this topic? Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition. The ability to assess flares is important to people who have HS; however, it is unclear how this is defined. HS flare is one of the core outcomes in the core outcome set for HS clinical trials; however, it is unclear how this should be assessed. What does this study add? This literature review reveals the paucity of measurable definitions associated with the use of the term 'flare' in the HS literature. It also highlights the variation and lack of a validated and reliable measure of HS flare.

Pilonidal sinus disease: an intergluteal localization of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa: a cross-sectional study among 2465 patients.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also referred to as acne inversa, is a debilitating skin disease characterized by inflammatory nodules, chronic abscesses and tunnels (fistulae and sinuses). The association with pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is frequently reported but not well documented. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of inflammatory skin lesions located in the intergluteal fold (IGF) of patients with HS. METHODS: This was an international multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study based on data collection from a large cohort of patients with HS with and without histopathology. Results From a total of 2465 patients with HS included in the study, 661 (27%) reported lesions in the IGF. These patients were significantly more often smokers and had more severe HS. Of the 238 patients with an available clinical diagnosis, intergluteal-HS (IG-HS) was diagnosed in 52 patients (22%) and PSD was diagnosed in 186 patients (78%). IG-HS was associated with the localization of HS in the proximity of the IGF, including the buttocks, genitals and the anus. There was a possibility of misclassification bias in this study as a clinical/image-based diagnosis or histopathology of the IGF lesions was not always available. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of PSD suggests a strong link between both entities. Therefore, it may be useful to identify common pathophysiological mechanisms and develop common therapeutic strategies. What's already known about this topic? The occurrence of pilonidal sinus disease has not been clearly reported among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa. What does this study add? This is the first study that investigated the prevalence of pilonidal sinus disease among a large cohort of patients and identified the patient characteristics. Risk factors that might help to improve the management of patients were identified.

[New therapeutic approaches for hidradenitis suppurativa]. / Nouveautés thérapeutiques pour la prise en charge de la maladie de Verneuil.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic cutaneous disease with a prevalence ranging between 0.05 % and 4 % in the general population. The clinical presentation features painful, inflammatory nodules on the apocrine gland- bearing body regions, evolving later on in fluctuant abscesses, fistulas and hypertrophic scars. HS represents a significant burden for the patients, severely limiting their quality of life. The disease is still relatively unknown by physicians, the time-to-diagnose can be extremely long and the therapeutic measures available are currently limited. In this paper we review the medical and surgical options for HS with a particular focus on recent, new therapeutic approaches.

La maladie de Verneuil (hidradénite suppurée) est une affection dermatologique chronique affectant entre 0,05 % et 4 % de la population. La maladie se caractérise par la formation de nodules douloureux et inflammatoires en regard des zones cutanées riches en glandes apocrines. Ces nodules évoluent vers la formation de masses abcédées extrêmement douloureuses qui finissent par fistuliser à la peau et laisser place à des cicatrices hypertrophiques indélébiles. La maladie devient alors très vite un véritable handicap dans la vie quotidienne des patients qui en souffrent. Encore à l'heure actuelle, la maladie reste mal connue par le corps médical. Le diagnostic est posé souvent tardivement et l'éventail thérapeutique se retrouve ainsi restreint. Au travers de cet article, nous reverrons la prise en charge médicale et chirurgicale que nous pouvons proposer en tant que soignants à ces patients, avec un focus particulier sur les récentes nouveautés thérapeutiques.

Low and high body mass index in hidradenitis suppurativa patients-different subtypes?

INTRODUCTION: Overweight is a well-established risk factor for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). In this cross-sectional study, we compare HS patients with a high body mass index (BMI) with HS patients with a low BMI to investigate differences in disease characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients were recruited from 17 dermatological centres from four continents. A total of 246 patients with a BMI below 25 were compared to 205 patients with a BMI of above 35. RESULTS: Patients with a high BMI suffered more severe disease (Hurley, physician global assessment, number of areas affected and patient-reported severity (PRS), P < 0.001 for all). There was no difference in smoking (P = 0.783) nor in family history (P = 0.088). In both low and high BMI patients, early onset of HS was a predictor of positive family history (P < 0.001, for each). For low BMI patients, an increase in BMI significantly increased PRS (P < 0.001). For patients with a high BMI, number of pack-years significantly increased PRS (P = 0.001). Cluster analysis of eruption patterns was location specific for low BMI patients but severity specific for high BMI patients. DISCUSSION: Patients with a low and high BMI could represent two clinically different subtypes. We suggest a non-linear relationship between BMI and impact of HS. As patients go from a low BMI patient to a high BMI patient (or from high to low), eruption patterns and risk factors may change.

[Psoriasis in 2016 : Co-morbidities and therapeutic update]. / Psoriasis en 2016 : Co-morbidités et nouveautés thérapeutiques.

Recognition of psoriasis as a chronic systemic inflammatory condition rather than just a skin disease is now widely accepted in the medical community. Association with joint involvement and depressive symptoms has been established for many years and several studies demonstrated an increased risk for comorbidities. These include the metabolic syndrome, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and an increased incidence of cardiovascular events among those patients.

La reconnaissance du psoriasis comme un état inflammatoire systémique chronique plutôt qu'une simple maladie de la peau est actuellement largement admise dans la communauté médicale. A côté de l'atteinte articulaire et des symptômes dépressifs connus de longue date, de nombreuses études établissent un risque accru de comorbidités. Celles-ci incluent le syndrome métabolique, l'obésité, l'hypertension artérielle, le diabète, les dyslipidémies, la stéatose hépatique non alcoolique, les maladies inflammatoires du tube digestif et une survenue plus importante chez ces patients de maladies cardiovasculaires.

[Psoriasis: a chronic skin disease]. / Le psoriasis: au sujet d'une dermatose chronique.

Psoriasis is a frequent chronic inflammatory skin disease. Physiopathological mechanisms are still partially unclear. Psoriasis results of the influence of environmental factors on a complex genetic background. Clinical presentations are various, from the classical erythematous plaques-type to the pustulosis forms. Psoriasis can be associated with some other inflammatory diseases like psoriatic arthritis and Crohn's disease. Considered for long as a benign entity, psoriasis can significantly impair patient's quality of life. Some serious forms like generalized erythrodermia and generalized pustulosis can affect the vital prognosis. The treatment of the patient requires a slight collaboration between the patient, the dermatologist and the attending physician.