Contemporary approach for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

Abstract:

Over the past few years, the diagnosis and treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has significantly improved. Local, systemic or surgical treatments are performed depending on the stage of the disease, while additional supplemental treatment is recommended at all stages of the disease. Treatment approach should be made by a dermatologist or another specialist who has expert knowledge regarding the character, course and ways of treating the disease. Until recently, the treatment approach for HS was not standardized due to the lack of unified evidence-based guidelines. The European Guidelines for the Treatment of HS, which are based on clinical trials with a large number of subjects and control groups, offer a more rational and pharmacologically cost-effective approach to the treatment for HS. According to the guidelines, the treatment for HS should primarily consist of locally administered clindamycin, resorcinol, and intralesional corticosteroids. In systemic therapy, the drugs of choice are tetracycline, rifampicin in combination with clindamycin, acitretin and finally biological medicines, particularly anti-TNF-a. 

Key words:
anti TNF-a; biologic therapy; guidelines; hidradenitis suppurativa; hidradenitis, therapy