Managing Comorbidities in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Expert Recommendations

When managing patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), clinicians should emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, particularly with respect to alcohol and tobacco consumption, diet, and exercise, according to recommendations from an expert group of clinicians and researchers published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Early diagnosis of comorbidities linked to HS is essential in all cases, but particularly for those comorbidities whose progression may be associated with an increased risk for undesirable adverse effects or death.

The guidelines considered comorbidities including: cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome); inflammatory bowel disease; inflammatory joint disorders; and psychological conditions (anxiety and depression), as well as the association between HS and alcohol and tobacco consumption.

Based on prevalence and association of each comorbidity with HS, the panel created 3 tables that describe the association between each comorbidity and HS, key aspects of clinical management by a dermatologist, and the impact of treatment of HS on each comorbidity.

Ultimately, the benefits of prevention of cardiovascular risk factors and early diagnosis of inflammatory diseases, liver involvement, and depression support the use of these recommendations in dermatologic clinical practice for the management of patients with HS. Doing so may also benefit the overall quality of life of patients with HS, and help prevent progression of comorbidities.

Reference

Dauden E, Lazaro P, Aguilar MD, et al. Recommendations for the management of comorbidity in hidradenitis suppurativa [published online August 10, 2017]. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. doi:10.1111/jdv.14517