Study finds deroofing and laser treatment effective against hidradenitis suppurativa

A 12-month observational cohort study published in the Health Technology Assessment analyzed deroofing and laser treatment effective for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Hidradenitis Suppurativa is represented by recurrent inflammatory lesions and skin tunnels, primarily in areas such as the axilla. 

The Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study included a total of 151 adult participants with active HS which was not adequately controlled by current treatments. Oral doxycycline, oral clindamycin and rifampicin, laser treatment, deroofing and conventional surgery were the five treatment options assessed.

The results from this research revealed that laser treatment had the highest proportion (69%) of participants willing to receive treatment followed by deroofing (58%), conventional surgery (54%), the combination of oral clindamycin and rifampicin (44%), and doxycycline (37%). Laser treatment was the first choice for 41% of participants which showed positive opportunities for future interventions.

The study highlighted the influence of clinicians on the willingness of participants to undergo treatments. The Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study established deroofing and laser treatment as viable options for HS in the UK and also laid the groundwork for future randomized controlled trials.

This study demonstrated high follow-up rates of 89% and 83% after 3 and 6 months, respectively. This comprehensive approach included daily pain score text messages for 110 participants which highlighted the evolving dynamics of pain management during the research.

This consensus workshop prioritized laser treatment and deroofing as key interventions for future randomized controlled trials by potentially opening new avenues for effective HS management in the UK. 

Reference;

Ingram, J. R., Bates, J., Cannings-John, R., Collier, F., Gibbons, A., Harris, C., Hood, K., Howells, L., Howes, R., Leighton, P., Riaz, M., Rodrigues, J., Stanton, H., Thomas, K. S., & Thomas-Jones, E. (2023). Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Evaluation Study: the THESEUS prospective cohort study. In Health Technology Assessment (pp. 1–107). National Institute for Health and Care Research. https://doi.org/10.3310/hwnm2189