Azathioprine lacks efficacy in hidradenitis suppurativa: A retrospective study of nine patients

DEAR EDITOR,
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory and debilitating skin disease characterized by painful nodules, abscesses and fistulas. It usually arises after puberty and can have a severe negative impact on quality of life. It has an estimated prevalence of 1–4%. Obesity, smoking, genetics, mechanical friction, hormonal influences and an aberrant local immune response are considered important risk factors for the development of HS. Careful histological examinations have revealed that perifollicular inflammation in combination with follicular hyperkeratosis and follicular dilation characterize the early stages.
The main treatment options include long-term systemic anti-inflammatory antibiotics; hormonal, immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive treatments such as antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-a biologics; and surgical interventions. The choice of treatment depends mostly on the severity of the disease. [...]