Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Discussed on TikTok: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful, chronic inflammatory skin disease that negatively affects patient quality of life, and conventional treatments are variably effective. As a result, patients often turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for pain relief. Social media enables HS patients to share treatment recommendations. TikTok is a popular social media platform, but little is known about the HS treatments discussed in TikTok videos.  Objective: To evaluate the content and quality of information on TikTok regarding CAM HS therapies.  Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted by performing a search in TikTok using the terms #hidradenitissuppurativa, #hswarrior, #naturalremedy, #complementarymedicine, #alternativemedicine, and #HStreatment. Two independent reviewers evaluated video quality using the DISCERN and AVA instruments. Linear regressions compared the engagement, DISCERN, and AVA scores among different uploader types. RESULTS: In total, 91 TikTok videos were analyzed. Videos were uploaded by non-physicians (82.4), dermatologists (6.6%), and private companies (11.0%). The average DISCERN and AVA scores were 36.2 and 1.6, respectively (poor quality). Common CAM therapies were natural salves, turmeric, Epsom salts, elimination diets, and zinc supplements. Physician-uploaded videos were of significantly higher quality than videos by other uploader types, with an average DISCERN and AVA score of 44.3 (P<0.009) and 2.6 (P<0.001), respectively (fair quality). CONCLUSION: TikTok videos were poor quality (low DISCERN and AVA scores); physician-uploaded videos were fair quality. Dermatologists can improve video quality by adequately discussing the supporting evidence, mechanisms of action, and remaining questions for HS treatments.  J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(3):e93-96. doi:10.36849/JDD.7738e.

Harnessing artificial intelligence for advancing early diagnosis in hidradenitis suppurativa.

This perspective delves into the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance early diagnosis in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Despite significantly impacting Quality of Life, HS presents diagnostic challenges leading to treatment delays. We present a viewpoint on AI-powered clinical decision support system designed for HS, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in dermatology. HS diagnosis, primarily reliant on clinical evaluation and visual inspection, often results in late-stage identification with substantial tissue damage. The incorporation of AI, utilizing machine learning and deep learning algorithms, addresses this challenge by excelling in image analysis. AI adeptly recognizes subtle patterns in skin lesions, providing objective and standardized analyses to mitigate subjectivity in traditional diagnostic approaches. The AI integration encompasses diverse datasets, including clinical records, images, biochemical and immunological data and OMICs data. AI algorithms enable nuanced comprehension, allowing for precise and customized diagnoses. We underscore AI's potential for continuous learning and adaptation, refining recommendations based on evolving data. Challenges in AI integration, such as data privacy, algorithm bias, and interpretability, are addressed, emphasizing the ethical considerations of responsible AI deployment, including transparency, human oversight, and striking a balance between automation and human intervention. From the dermatologists' standpoint, we illustrate how AI enhances diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and long-term follow-up in HS management. Dermatologists leverage AI to analyze clinical records, dermatological images, and various data types, facilitating a proactive and personalized approach. AI's dynamic nature supports continuous learning, refining diagnostic and treatment strategies, ultimately reshaping standards of care in dermatology.

Differentiating hidradenitis suppurativa flare from infection in the emergency department and recommendations for transitioning care to the outpatient setting.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a painful and often progressive inflammatory skin condition that presents with papules, nodules, abscesses, and tunnels in the axillary, inframammary and anogenital regions. HS can be difficult to differentiate from a skin infection, such as a bacterial abscess. However, differentiation between the two is important as management of hidradenitis suppurativa often requires long-term follow-up and specialist care. Emergency physicians should be aware of how to differentiate acute hidradenitis suppurativa flares from similarly presenting conditions, particularly skin and soft tissue infection, when encountered in the emergency department and what steps should be taken to adequately bridge care to the outpatient setting.

Gluteal Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Analysis of 83 Patients / Hidradenitis supurativa con afectación glútea: análisis de 83 pacientes

Background In 2013, Canoui-Poitrine et al. identified three hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) phenotypes by a latent class (LC) analysis, based on anatomical sites of involvement. Objective To improve the classification of the gluteal phenotype (LC3) patients given their diverse lesion types and differences in clinical profile. Material and methods We designed a bicentric study gathering all LC3 patients (n=83) from two hospitals. We conducted a two-step cluster analysis among them and also compared their characteristics with the rest of the HS patients (n=661). Results Compared with global HS series, LC3 patients were more frequently non-obese men, with smoking habit, an associated arthropathy, and a more frequent history of pilonidal sinus. The analysis of LC3 patients yielded two clusters: cluster 1 (38.3%) included elderly female patients, with later diagnosis of the disease and more sinus tracts; cluster 2 (61.7%) encompassed more men with earlier disease onset and more nodules and folliculitis lesions. Limitations The study's limitations include its retrospective nature, bicentric design, and small sample size. Conclusion The heterogeneous clinical presentation of HS makes it essential to have a good classification of the patients. Gluteal phenotype could actually be classified into two “subphenotypes” with a different clinical profiles and management (AU)

Antecedentes En 2013 Canoui-Poitrine et al. identificaron tres fenotipos de hidradenitis supurativa (HS) mediante un análisis de clases latentes (LC) basado en las regiones anatómicas afectadas. Objetivo Mejorar la clasificación de los pacientes con fenotipo glúteo (LC3) dados los diversos tipos de lesiones y diferencias en el perfil clínico. Material y métodos Diseñamos un estudio bicéntrico que incluyó a todos los pacientes con LC3 (n=83) de dos hospitales terciarios españoles. Realizamos un análisis de conglomerados en dos etapas dentro del grupo LC3 y también comparamos sus características con el resto de los pacientes con HS (n=661). Resultados En comparación con la serie global de HS, los pacientes con LC3 fueron más frecuentemente hombres no obesos, fumadores, con una artritis asociada y con mayor prevalencia de sinus pilonidal. El análisis de los pacientes LC3 resultó en dos grupos: el grupo 1 (38,3%), que incluía pacientes mayores, de sexo femenino, con diagnóstico más tardío de la enfermedad y más trayectos sinusales; y el grupo 2 (61,7%), que englobaba a más hombres con inicio temprano de la enfermedad y más nódulos y lesiones de foliculitis. Limitaciones Las limitaciones del estudio incluyen su naturaleza retrospectiva, el diseño bicéntrico y el tamaño muestral reducido. Conclusión La presentación clínica heterogénea de la HS hace que sea esencial disponer de una buena clasificación clínica de los pacientes. Como hemos visto, parece que el fenotipo glúteo podría clasificarse en dos «subfenotipos» con perfiles clínicos y, consecuentemente, enfoques terapéuticos diferentes (AU)

[Artículo traducido] Hidradenitis supurativa con afectación glútea: análisis de 83 pacientes / Gluteal Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Analysis of 83 Patients

Antecedentes En 2013 Canoui-Poitrine et al. identificaron tres fenotipos de hidradenitis supurativa (HS) mediante un análisis de clases latentes (LC) basado en las regiones anatómicas afectadas. Objetivo Mejorar la clasificación de los pacientes con fenotipo glúteo (LC3) dados los diversos tipos de lesiones y diferencias en el perfil clínico. Material y métodos Diseñamos un estudio bicéntrico que incluyó a todos los pacientes con LC3 (n=83) de dos hospitales terciarios españoles. Realizamos un análisis de conglomerados en dos etapas dentro del grupo LC3 y también comparamos sus características con el resto de los pacientes con HS (n=661). Resultados En comparación con la serie global de HS, los pacientes con LC3 fueron más frecuentemente hombres no obesos, fumadores, con una artritis asociada y con mayor prevalencia de sinus pilonidal. El análisis de los pacientes LC3 resultó en dos grupos: el grupo 1 (38,3%), que incluía pacientes mayores, de sexo femenino, con diagnóstico más tardío de la enfermedad y más trayectos sinusales; y el grupo 2 (61,7%), que englobaba a más hombres con inicio temprano de la enfermedad y más nódulos y lesiones de foliculitis. Limitaciones Las limitaciones del estudio incluyen su naturaleza retrospectiva, el diseño bicéntrico y el tamaño muestral reducido. Conclusión La presentación clínica heterogénea de la HS hace que sea esencial disponer de una buena clasificación clínica de los pacientes. Como hemos visto, parece que el fenotipo glúteo podría clasificarse en dos «subfenotipos» con perfiles clínicos y, consecuentemente, enfoques terapéuticos diferentes (AU)

Background In 2013, Canoui-Poitrine et al. identified three hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) phenotypes by a latent class (LC) analysis, based on anatomical sites of involvement. Objective To improve the classification of the gluteal phenotype (LC3) patients given their diverse lesion types and differences in clinical profile. Material and methods We designed a bicentric study gathering all LC3 patients (n=83) from two hospitals. We conducted a two-step cluster analysis among them and also compared their characteristics with the rest of the HS patients (n=661). Results Compared with global HS series, LC3 patients were more frequently non-obese men, with smoking habit, an associated arthropathy, and a more frequent history of pilonidal sinus. The analysis of LC3 patients yielded two clusters: cluster 1 (38.3%) included elderly female patients, with later diagnosis of the disease and more sinus tracts; cluster 2 (61.7%) encompassed more men with earlier disease onset and more nodules and folliculitis lesions. Limitations The study's limitations include its retrospective nature, bicentric design, and small sample size. Conclusion The heterogeneous clinical presentation of HS makes it essential to have a good classification of the patients. Gluteal phenotype could actually be classified into two “subphenotypes” with a different clinical profiles and management (AU)

Hidradenitis Suppurativa-Related Autoinflammatory Syndromes: An Updated Review on the Clinics, Genetics, and Treatment of Pyoderma gangrenosum, Acne and Suppurative Hidradenitis (PASH), Pyogenic Arthritis, Pyoderma gangrenosum, Acne and Suppurative Hidradenitis (PAPASH), Synovitis, Acne, Pustulosis, Hyperostosis and Osteitis (SAPHO), and Rarer Forms.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an autoinflammatory skin disorder of the terminal hair follicle, which can present in sporadic, familial, or syndromic form. A classification has been proposed for the latter, distinguishing cases associated with a known genetic condition, with follicular keratinization disorders or with autoinflammatory diseases. This review focuses on the clinical and genetic features of those entities (ie, pyoderma gangrenosum [PG], acne and HS; PG, acne, pyogenic arthritis and HS; psoriatic arthritis, PG, acne and HS; synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis; and so forth) for which the collective term HS-related autoinflammatory syndromes is proposed.

Efficacy and Durability of Intravenous Ertapenem Therapy for Recalcitrant Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Importance: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating follicular skin disorder in which bacterial colonization is typical. Oral antibiotic efficacy can be unreliable; however, selective intravenous antibiotics, specifically ertapenem, may provide favorable clinical outcomes. Objective: To explore optimal course duration, efficacy, and patient satisfaction associated with intravenous ertapenem for HS. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective review of the medical records of 98 patients with HS between 2018 and 2022 measured and evaluated patient outcomes before and after treatment with intravenous ertapenem. Participants were followed up in a telephone survey assessing patient perspectives and satisfaction. All of those included in this study received medical care from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Montefiore HS Center. Exposures: Patients were treated with 1 g of ertapenem that was self-administered at home through a peripheral intravenous central catheter using an elastomeric pump for 12 to 16 weeks. Antiandrogens and immunomodulatory biologic therapies initiated prior to ertapenem were maintained throughout the treatment course. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes, encompassing clinical severity (evaluated through the HS Physician Global Assessment score [a 6-point scale ranging from clear to very severe] and a numerical rating scale for pain [an 11-point scale in which a score of 0 indicates no pain and a score of 10 indicates the worst possible pain]) and markers of inflammation (such as leukocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6), were measured at baseline, the midcourse of intravenous ertapenem treatment, at the end of the course, and posttherapy. Bacterial abundance was also examined at these 4 points, and patient satisfaction was assessed during follow-up. Results: A total of 98 patients (mean [SD] age, 35.8 [13.0] years; 61 [62.2%] female) with HS were treated with intravenous ertapenem. The self-reported racial distribution included 3 individuals identifying as Asian (3.1%), 59 as Black/African American (60.2%), 13 as White (13.3%), and 23 as either other or unknown (23.5%). Additionally, 24 participants (24.5%) reported Spanish/Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. The mean (SD) treatment duration spanned 13.1 (4.0) weeks, with posttherapy follow-up occurring after 7.8 (3.6) weeks. From baseline to posttherapy follow-up, significant reductions were found in the mean (SD) HS Physician Global Assessment scores (3.9 [1.0] vs 2.7 [1.2]; P < .001) and the numerical rating scale for pain (4.2 [3.3] vs 1.8 [2.7]; P < .001), C-reactive protein (5.4 [11.4] vs 2.4 [2.0] mg/dL; P < .001), interleukin-6 (25.2 [21.1] vs 13.7 [13.9]; P < .001), and leukocytes (11.34 [3.9] vs 10.0 [3.4]; P < .001). At follow-up, 76 patients (78.0%) participated in the telephone survey, where 63 (80.3%) reported medium to high satisfaction; further, 69 (90.8%) would recommend ertapenem to other patients. Conclusions and Relevance: In this retrospective review of medical records and telephone survey, treating HS with intravenous ertapenem, administered for a mean of 13 weeks, was associated with improvement in clinical and inflammatory markers, as well as heightened patient satisfaction. Nonetheless, this approach should be monitored for the emergence of antimicrobial resistance given a longer than standard treatment course.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patient Referrals to a Canadian Community Dermatology Practice: A Retrospective Chart Review.

INTRODUCTION: Awareness of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) among non-dermatology healthcare providers is essential to facilitate prompt diagnosis, treatment, and referral to dermatology for further management. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze recent referrals to a Canadian community dermatology practice and compare the diagnostic concordance rates for HS between dermatologists and non-dermatologists. METHODS: This study was a single-centre, retrospective chart review that was completed at Beacon Dermatology in Calgary, AB. Patients who were referred by a non-dermatologist for suspicion of HS and/or were diagnosed with HS by a dermatologist at Beacon Dermatology for the first time between May 2020 and May 2023 were included. Referral letters and dermatology clinic notes were analyzed to extract patient demographics, suspected pre-referral and post-referral diagnoses, and interim management plans that were initiated by the referring provider. RESULTS: A total of 451 patient charts with suspected and/or confirmed HS were retrieved from the clinic database. The median wait time from referral to the first dermatology appointment was 9.1 weeks. The average duration of HS symptoms was 7.3 years. HS was suspected by the referring provider and confirmed by a dermatologist in 286 cases (63%). Preliminary management was initiated in 60% of mild and 66% of moderate-to-severe cases. DISCUSSION: Given the prolonged time to diagnosis of HS, increasing awareness among healthcare providers is essential. Furthermore, this study highlighted the low implementation rates for evidence-based treatment options in preliminary management plans. Ultimately, this study demonstrates the need for increased interdisciplinary education on HS management in Canada.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 Study: A Cross-sectional Study of 2,775 Subjects.

A negative stigmatization related to hidradenitis suppurativa may prevent patients from seeking care. Thus, a large proportion of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa may be missing from studies based on hospital data. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of hidradenitis suppurativa among 2,775 subjects in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 Study (NFBC1986), who were in their mid-thirties. The prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa was 4.0% (n = 110/2,775), being higher in females (4.8%) than in males (2.5%) (p < 0.01). Of those defined as having hidradenitis suppurativa in this study, only 4 cases (n = 4/110, 3.6%) were found to have a hidradenitis suppurativa diagnosis either in the hospital (Care Register for Health Care) or in the primary healthcare data. In an adjusted model in logistic regression analyses, hidradenitis suppurativa was significantly associated with obesity (body mass index 30-55 kg/m2) (odds ratio 3.81, 95% confidence interval 2.80-5.22), female sex (1.99, 1.53-2.61) and smoking (1.56, 1.21-2.00). In addition, there was an association between hidradenitis suppurativa and self-reported poor overall health status. Hidradenitis suppurativa seems to be common at the population level and only a minority of these patients seek care for the condition.

Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Content Validity and Usability of the Electronic Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptom Daily Diary, Hidradenitis Suppurativa Symptom Questionnaire, and Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic skin condition that causes pain and physical dysfunction, can impact significantly on quality of life. Disease-specific tools have been designed to assess the impact of HS on patients, including the HS Symptom Daily Diary (HSSDD), the HS Symptom Questionnaire (HSSQ), and the HS Quality of Life (HiSQOL©) questionnaire, which have been developed into electronic instruments (eHSSDD, eHSSQ, and eHiSQOL©). OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to establish the content validity of the electronic version of the HSSDD and HSSQ, and the acceptability and usability of the HSSDD, HSSQ, and HiSQOL©, using concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing interviews. METHODS: This was a non-interventional qualitative video interview study involving participants aged ≥18 years with moderate to severe HS recruited from a single clinical site in the USA. Interviews gathered feedback on participants' symptom experience, followed by training and completion of the eHSSDD, eHSSQ, and eHiSQOL© questionnaires on electronic handheld devices. Participants were then interviewed on the content of the eHSSDD and eHSSQ and the acceptability and usability of all three instruments. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analysed. RESULTS: Twenty participants with moderate to severe HS (median age: 41.5 [range: 20.0-64.0]; n = 16/20 female) were included. All participants found the eHSSDD, eHSSQ, and eHiSQOL© instructions clear and described the instruments as "easy", "simple" and "self-explanatory". Overall understanding of individual items within the eHSSDD and eHSSQ was high; however, 6/20 participants had difficulty in understanding the average skin pain item in the eHSSDD. All participants were able to accurately recall their symptoms within the recall periods of the eHSSDD and eHSSQ, although 4/20 participants found the 24-h recall period of the eHSSDD limiting. Completion time was quick across all instruments, and usability was high, with the majority of participants reporting no difficulty in completing questionnaires on electronic devices. CONCLUSION: The concepts covered in the eHSSDD and eHSSQ are relevant and important to patients, supporting their content validity. The findings also provide evidence of acceptability and usability of the eHSSDD, eHSSQ, and eHiSQOL©. A limitation was that all participants were recruited from a single site, which may have introduced selection bias and thus limited the generalisability of results.

Gluteal Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Analysis of 83 Patients. / [Artículo traducido] Hidradenitis supurativa con afectación glútea: análisis de 83 pacientes.

BACKGROUND: In 2013, Canoui-Poitrine et al. identified three hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) phenotypes by a latent class (LC) analysis, based on anatomical sites of involvement. OBJECTIVE: To improve the classification of the gluteal phenotype (LC3) patients given their diverse lesion types and differences in clinical profile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We designed a bicentric study gathering all LC3 patients (n=83) from two hospitals. We conducted a two-step cluster analysis among them and also compared their characteristics with the rest of the HS patients (n=661). RESULTS: Compared with global HS series, LC3 patients were more frequently non-obese men, with smoking habit, an associated arthropathy, and a more frequent history of pilonidal sinus. The analysis of LC3 patients yielded two clusters: cluster 1 (38.3%) included elderly female patients, with later diagnosis of the disease and more sinus tracts; cluster 2 (61.7%) encompassed more men with earlier disease onset and more nodules and folliculitis lesions. LIMITATIONS: The study's limitations include its retrospective nature, bicentric design, and small sample size. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneous clinical presentation of HS makes it essential to have a good classification of the patients. Gluteal phenotype could actually be classified into two "subphenotypes" with a different clinical profiles and management.

Hidradenitis suppurativa. / Hidradenitis supurativa.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory disease derived from the pilosebaceous unit, that affects approximately 1% of the general population. Clinically, it is characterized by inflammatory nodules, abscesses, and tunnels in the intertriginous areas of the body, especially in the axillary, inguinal, and anogenital regions. The etiopathogenesis of HS is not completely understood, although it is considered to be multifactorial, and the result of a complex interaction between genetic, hormonal, environmental, and immunological factors. In this sense, several proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-L-1ß, and IL-17, among others, appear to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Currently, HS is recognized as a systemic disease associated with numerous comorbidities, including cardiovascular, immune-mediated, and endocrine-metabolic diseases. The treatment of HS must be carried out with an individualized and patient-oriented approach, considering medical and surgical treatment modalities.