Systematic review of pharmacotherapy strategies in the management of hidradenitis suppurativa
Abstract
Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS, acne inversa) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory dermatosis with an etiopathogenesis that remains not fully understood. Characteristic skin lesions—nodules, abscesses, sinus tracts, and scars—are most commonly located in skin fold areas, leading to a significant deterioration in patients’ quality of life, both physically and psychosocially. Despite advances in medical knowledge, the diagnosis of HS is often delayed, and treatment represents a major clinical challenge requiring individualized therapeutic approaches. This article provides a review of current literature on pharmacological treatment strategies for HS, including both topical and systemic therapies. Particular emphasis is placed on antibiotic therapy (e.g., tetracyclines, combination therapy with clindamycin and rifampicin, triple-drug regimens, ertapenem), as well as hormonal and immunomodulatory treatments. Furthermore, the growing role of biologic therapies, including TNF-α and interleukin inhibitors, and the use of emerging targeted agents under investigation are discussed. Attention is also drawn to the importance of androgen receptors and their potential role in the pathogenesis of HS, as reflected in the effectiveness of antiandrogen therapies (e.g., spironolactone or oral contraceptives containing a progestogenic component). The review includes data on the efficacy, safety, and limitations of various therapeutic methods based on clinical trials and systematic…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Synthesis, In Vitro and In Silico Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Phthalimide–Pyrimidine Hybrid Analogues to Thalidomide as Potent Antitubercular Agents
- Exploring the inhibitory performance of expired moxifloxacin and norfloxacin on copper corrosion in saline environment
- Molecular investigation of antimicrobial peptides against Helicobacter pylori proteins using a peptide-protein docking approach
- Screening of novel narrow-spectrum benzofuroxan derivatives for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches
- Synthesis, Characterization, Anticancer, Antioxidant, and In Silico Evaluation of Semicarbazides and Thiosemicarbazides
- Fast and accurate prediction of drug induced proarrhythmic risk with sex specific cardiac emulators
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.