Joint AAD & HS Foundation clinical guidelines

Guidelines of Care for the Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Every recommendation with its strength, certainty of evidence, dosing, and monitoring.

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4strong recommendations

2good practice statements, treated as strong

37recommendations in total

40therapies where evidence generation is needed

Showing 37 of 37 recommendations

Chlorhexidine: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Benzoyl peroxide: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Topical antiseptics: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Amoxicillin-clavulanate: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Clindamycin monotherapy: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Dapsone: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Ofloxacin plus clindamycin: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Metronidazole, rifampin plus moxifloxacin: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Dalbavancin: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Linezolid: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Combination oral contraceptive pills: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Finasteride: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Metformin: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Anakinra: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Ixekizumab: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Spesolimab: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Ustekinumab: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Colchicine: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Cyclosporine: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Hydroxychloroquine: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Apremilast: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Brepocitinib: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Roflumilast: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Cryotherapy: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Intense pulsed light: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Radiofrequency: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Microwave ablation: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Photodynamic therapy: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Intralesional photodynamic therapy: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Sclerotherapy: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Radiotherapy in adults: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Specific wound care regimens: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Bariatric surgery: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Intermittent fasting: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Mediterranean diet: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Yeast exclusion diet: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Dairy-free diet: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Myo-inositol, liposomal magnesium and folic acid supplement: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Staphage lysate: evaluated, but the guidelines make no recommendation. See research gaps

Topical therapies

Topical clindamycin 1%

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend topical clindamycin.

Conditional Low certainty

Topical resorcinol 10-15%

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend topical resorcinol.

Conditional Low certainty

Topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend topical ruxolitinib.

Conditional Low certainty

Systemic antibiotics

Doxycycline

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend doxycycline.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Tetracycline

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend tetracycline.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Clindamycin with rifampin

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend clindamycin in combination with rifampin.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Ertapenem

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we conditionally recommend ertapenem.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Hormone therapy

Spironolactone

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend spironolactone.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Oral retinoids

Acitretin

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against acitretin.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Isotretinoin

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against isotretinoin.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Biologics

Adalimumab

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we recommend adalimumab.

Strong Moderate certainty

Adalimumab continued perioperatively

For patients with moderate to severe HS receiving adalimumab and undergoing surgery, we conditionally recommend continuing adalimumab.

Conditional Low certainty

Bimekizumab

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we recommend bimekizumab.

Strong Moderate certainty

Infliximab

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we recommend infliximab.

Strong Low certainty

Secukinumab

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we recommend secukinumab.

Strong Moderate certainty

Etanercept

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against etanercept.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Guselkumab

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against guselkumab.

Conditional Low certainty

Risankizumab

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against risankizumab.

Conditional Low certainty

Vilobelimab

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against vilobelimab.

Conditional Low certainty

Systemic therapies

Upadacitinib

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we conditionally recommend upadacitinib.

Conditional Low certainty

Short-term systemic corticosteroids

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we conditionally recommend short-term systemic corticosteroids.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Methotrexate

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against methotrexate as active therapy. Remark: methotrexate may be used to prevent or manage anti-drug antibodies in patients receiving TNF inhibitors.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Azathioprine

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against azathioprine as active therapy. Remark: azathioprine may be used to prevent or manage anti-drug antibodies in patients receiving TNF inhibitors.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Avacopan

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against avacopan.

Conditional Low certainty

Procedural interventions

Deroofing

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend deroofing to treat recurrent or persistently symptomatic lesions.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Incision and drainage

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend incision and drainage to treat acutely painful abscesses.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Lesional and regional excision

For patients with HS with persistent or recurrent symptomatic lesions, we conditionally recommend lesional or regional excision.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Laser hair removal

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend laser hair removal.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Botulinum toxin

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend botulinum toxin.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend intralesional triamcinolone acetonide to treat acutely painful lesions.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy

For patients with HS on systemic antibiotic therapy, we conditionally recommend adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Radiotherapy in pediatric and adolescent patients

For pediatric and adolescent patients with HS, we recommend against radiotherapy for the management of HS.

Good Practice Statement

Supportive management

Routine pain assessment

Clinicians should routinely ask patients with HS about pain as part of clinical assessment.

Good Practice Statement

Supportive pain management

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend supportive pain management in combination with disease-directed therapy. Remark: Clinicians may consider HS pain chronicity, character, and severity when selecting analgesics for pain.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Tobacco cessation

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend tobacco cessation to improve response to disease-directed therapies.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Complementary and alternative medicine

Adjunctive oral zinc

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend adjunctive oral zinc supplement under clinician guidance.

Conditional Very Low certainty

Vitamin D repletion

For patients with HS and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, we conditionally recommend vitamin D repletion under clinician guidance.

Conditional Very Low certainty

No recommendations match these filters.

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend topical clindamycin.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

Five RCTs in 204 participants with mild to moderate disease. Reduced mean abscesses, inflammatory nodules and pustules from baseline at week 12 versus placebo. Fewer adverse events than placebo; discontinuation uncommon.

Drug class

Topical antibiotic

Dosing

1% lotion, gel or solution twice daily to affected skin.

Monitoring

No routine monitoring recommended per FDA label.

Adverse effects

Skin burning, itching, dryness, erythema, peeling. C. difficile colitis (rare, systemic absorption).

Evidence trail

References 14-18

Supplemental Tables 1-5

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend topical resorcinol.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

One RCT (40 participants) plus five case series (229 patients), mild to moderate disease. IHS4 fell from 5.65 to 2.5 and DLQI from 9.6 to 4.8 at 24 weeks. No discontinuations for adverse events reported.

Drug class

Topical keratolytic

Dosing

Over the counter; requires compounding. 10-15% cream once to twice daily to affected skin.

Monitoring

No routine monitoring recommended.

Adverse effects

Desquamation (64-100%), discoloration (33-41%), mild irritation (34%).

Evidence trail

References 15, 19-23

Supplemental Tables 6-7

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend topical ruxolitinib.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

One phase 2 RCT (69 participants) and a 6-patient open-label trial, mild to moderate disease. HiSCR-50 reached in 79% versus 50% with vehicle at 16 weeks. No difference in pain or IHS4.

Drug class

Topical JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor

Dosing

1.5% cream twice daily to affected skin. Do not exceed 60 g/week or 100 g per 2 weeks.

Monitoring

No routine laboratory monitoring required per FDA label for topical use. CBC as clinically indicated. Periodic skin exams for non-melanoma skin cancer during and after treatment.

Boxed warning

Class boxed warning for JAK inhibitors: serious infections, all-cause mortality, malignancy, major adverse cardiovascular events, thrombosis. Carried on the topical label as a class warning; systemic exposure from topical use is low.

Adverse effects

Upper respiratory infection, nasopharyngitis, application site reactions, acne, folliculitis, fever, cytopenias.

Evidence trail

References 24-26

Supplemental Tables 8-9

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend doxycycline.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

Despite extensive use in HS, only two RCTs were identified. HiSCR reached in 64% and 60% with modified- and regular-release formulations, with no difference between them. HiSCR-50 in 41% on monotherapy.

Drug class

Tetracycline antibiotic

Dosing

100 mg by mouth twice daily for 12 weeks.

Monitoring

No routine monitoring recommended per FDA label.

Adverse effects

Gastrointestinal symptoms, photosensitivity, transaminitis (rare).

Evidence trail

References 27, 28

Supplemental Tables 10-11

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend tetracycline.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

One RCT (46 participants) against topical clindamycin showed no significant difference in physician global assessment or pain at 16 weeks. A 108-patient prospective cohort showed the highest numerical improvement in Sartorius score with tetracycline, without statistical significance.

Drug class

Tetracycline antibiotic

Dosing

500 mg by mouth twice daily for 12 weeks.

Monitoring

No routine monitoring recommended per FDA label.

Adverse effects

Gastrointestinal symptoms, skin irritation, photosensitivity.

Evidence trail

References 16, 29, 342

Supplemental Tables 12-13

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend clindamycin in combination with rifampin.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

Eight cohort studies and case series in 392 patients plus one active comparator RCT. Mean Sartorius scores fell 46-53% at 10 weeks; HiSCR-50 in 48% at 12 weeks. Between 4% and 26% discontinued for adverse events.

Drug class

Combination systemic antibiotics

Dosing

Clindamycin 300 mg and rifampin 300 mg, both by mouth twice daily for 12 weeks.

Monitoring

No routine laboratory monitoring recommended per FDA label for a typical 12-week course. Rifampin is a potent CYP3A4 inducer: review all concomitant medications for interactions before starting.

Adverse effects

Gastrointestinal symptoms, C. difficile colitis, hepatotoxicity, orange discoloration of body fluids, significant CYP450 drug interactions.

Evidence trail

References 30-38

Supplemental Tables 14-15

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we conditionally recommend ertapenem.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

Four cohort studies and case series in 179 patients. Median Sartorius score fell from 49.5 to 19.0 and pain VAS from 9 to 2 at six weeks. Should be reserved for moderate to severe disease refractory to other treatment and used as a bridge to longer-term therapy to steward antibiotic use.

Drug class

Carbapenem antibiotic

Dosing

1 g intravenously daily for six or more weeks via PICC.

Monitoring

Baseline: renal function, CBC, LFTs. On treatment: periodic renal function with dose adjustment if CrCl 30 mL/min or less; PICC site monitoring for infection, thrombosis and local reaction.

Adverse effects

PICC line infection and thrombosis, adhesive dermatitis, vaginal candidiasis, transaminitis, infusion reactions, C. difficile colitis.

Evidence trail

References 40-43

Supplemental Table 16

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend spironolactone.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

Five case series in 323 female patients, most on concomitant therapy. Median dose 100 mg daily. Mean HS-PGA fell 0.6 after a mean seven months of follow-up.

Drug class

Anti-androgen

Dosing

50-200 mg by mouth daily.

Monitoring

Baseline: serum potassium and creatinine; eGFR in renally impaired patients or those on an ACE inhibitor or ARB. On treatment: potassium is not needed in healthy patients; check within one week of starting or a dose change, then periodically, for renally impaired patients or those on an ACE inhibitor or ARB.

Boxed warning

Tumorigenicity: spironolactone was tumorigenic in chronic toxicity studies in rats. Unnecessary use should be avoided.

Adverse effects

Irregular menses, gastrointestinal symptoms, breast tenderness, changes in urination, gynecomastia, hyperkalemia, teratogenicity.

Evidence trail

References 54-58

Supplemental Table 25

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against acitretin.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

Five case series in 120 patients. No significant differences in HS outcomes versus baseline, with 47-53% discontinuing for ineffectiveness, worsening visual acuity or severe retinoid dermatitis. Risks include teratogenicity, hepatotoxicity and hyperlipidemia.

Evidence trail

References 63-67

Supplemental Table 27

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against isotretinoin.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

One case series of 68 patients on monotherapy. 24% reported visual clearance at four months, with 29% discontinuing before four months. iPLEDGE monthly visit and pregnancy monitoring requirements may further limit access.

Evidence trail

References 68

Supplemental Table 28

Strong Moderate certainty

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we recommend adalimumab.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

Seven RCTs in 733 patients. At week 12, HiSCR-50 favored adalimumab 40 mg weekly over placebo (RR 1.92; 95% CI 1.57-2.36). In open-label extension, 52% maintained HiSCR-50 at three years. Every-other-week 40 mg dosing did not meet efficacy endpoints; 80 mg every two weeks is an approved maintenance alternative that may improve adherence.

Drug class

TNF inhibitor

Dosing

Adults and adolescents 12 years and older, 60 kg or more: 160 mg subcutaneously day 1 (or 80 mg on days 1 and 2), then 80 mg on day 15, then 40 mg weekly or 80 mg every 2 weeks from day 29. Adolescents 12 years and older, 30 to under 60 kg: 80 mg day 1, then 40 mg every 2 weeks from day 8.

Monitoring

Baseline: TB screening (TST or IGRA), hepatitis B panel, hepatitis C antibody, HIV screen, CBC, hepatic profile. On treatment: annual TB screening, monitoring for active TB and serious infection, and HBV carrier monitoring for reactivation during therapy and for several months after stopping.

Boxed warning

Serious infections: fatal and serious infections including TB, bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal and opportunistic infections. Malignancy: lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal; hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma reported in adolescent and young adult patients with IBD on TNF blockers plus immunosuppressants.

Adverse effects

Serious infections, malignancy, injection site reactions, hypersensitivity, lupus-like syndrome, worsening heart failure.

Evidence trail

References 69-75

Supplemental Tables 29-31

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with moderate to severe HS receiving adalimumab and undergoing surgery, we conditionally recommend continuing adalimumab.

Population

Moderate to severe HS undergoing surgery

Evidence summary

One RCT paired adalimumab or placebo with axillary or inguinal wide excision healing by secondary intention. HiSCR-50 was reached in more participants on adalimumab at week 12, and postoperative infection, complication and hemorrhage did not differ between groups.

Evidence trail

References 78

Supplemental Table 32

Strong Moderate certainty

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we recommend bimekizumab.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

Three RCTs in 784 participants. At week 16, HiSCR-50 (RR 1.67; 95% CI 1.31-2.13) and HiSCR-75 (RR 2.14; 1.49-3.06) favored bimekizumab 320 mg every two weeks over placebo. At week 48, 77-82% maintained HiSCR-50 on every-four-week dosing.

Drug class

IL-17A/F inhibitor

Dosing

Loading: 320 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks from week 0 through 16. Maintenance: 320 mg every 4 weeks thereafter.

Monitoring

Baseline: TB screening (TST or IGRA), LFTs including AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin. On treatment: periodic LFTs, since transaminase elevations were observed in trials.

Adverse effects

Upper respiratory infection, oral candidiasis, headache, eczema, tinea, serious infections, suicidal ideation and behavior (observed in trials, monitor), new or worsening IBD, transaminitis.

Evidence trail

References 70, 79

Supplemental Tables 33-34

Strong Low certainty

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we recommend infliximab.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

One RCT in 33 participants plus seven cohort studies in 132 patients. Infliximab was more likely to achieve an excellent physician global assessment outcome at week 8 (RR 4.80; 95% CI 1.66-13.90) and reduced mean pain VAS substantially more than placebo.

Drug class

TNF inhibitor

Dosing

Loading: 5-10 mg/kg intravenously at weeks 0, 2 and 6. Maintenance: every 4 to 8 weeks thereafter.

Monitoring

Baseline: TB screening, hepatitis B panel, hepatitis C antibody, HIV screen, CBC, hepatic profile. On treatment: annual TB screening, monitoring for active TB and serious infection, HBV reactivation monitoring, and evaluation for hepatic injury with discontinuation if jaundice or LFTs reach five times the upper limit of normal.

Boxed warning

Serious infections: fatal and serious infections including TB, bacterial sepsis, invasive fungal and opportunistic infections. Malignancy: lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal; hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma reported in pediatric and young adult patients with IBD on TNF blockers plus immunosuppressants.

Adverse effects

Serious infections, malignancy, acute and delayed infusion reactions, hepatotoxicity, lupus-like syndrome, worsening heart failure.

Evidence trail

References 80-89

Supplemental Tables 35-36

Strong Moderate certainty

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we recommend secukinumab.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

Two RCTs in 724 participants. At week 16, HiSCR-50 favored secukinumab on both dosing schedules (RR 1.35). Pain reduction of 30% or more and DLQI improvement of five points or more were both more common than placebo. HiSCR-50 was maintained at week 52 in 76-81% of week-16 responders.

Drug class

IL-17A inhibitor

Dosing

Adults, loading: 300 mg subcutaneously weekly at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. Maintenance: 300 mg every 4 weeks, may escalate to every 2 weeks for adequate response. Adolescents 12 years and older: 150 mg (30 to under 90 kg) or 300 mg (90 kg or more) on the same schedule.

Monitoring

Baseline: TB screening (TST or IGRA) with chest radiograph, CBC, hepatic profile. On treatment: annual TB screening and monitoring for active TB and serious infection.

Adverse effects

Upper respiratory infection, nasopharyngitis, oral and esophageal candidiasis, headache, fungal infections, hypersensitivity, serious infections, new or worsening IBD, new or worsening severe eczema.

Evidence trail

References 90

Supplemental Tables 37-39

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against etanercept.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

One RCT in 17 participants reported no difference in physician global assessment or pain at weeks 12 and 24. Three open-label trials in 31 participants showed improvement but were prone to substantial risk of bias.

Evidence trail

References 92-96

Supplemental Tables 40-41

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against guselkumab.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

One RCT in 121 participants comparing two dosing regimens with placebo reported no significant difference in HiSCR-50 or in reducing DLQI to 0 or 1 at 16 weeks.

Evidence trail

References 97

Supplemental Table 42

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against risankizumab.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

One RCT in 243 participants showed no significant difference in HiSCR-50 or DLQI at 16 weeks. Response may be more common in male patients and in subgroups with higher serum testosterone, lower FSH and insulin resistance.

Evidence trail

References 98

Supplemental Table 43

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against vilobelimab.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

A five-arm RCT in 177 participants showed no significant difference in HiSCR-50 at week 16. Secondary endpoints of flare count and DLQI improved, without differences in modified Sartorius or global assessment scores.

Evidence trail

References 100

Supplemental Table 44

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we conditionally recommend upadacitinib.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

One RCT in 68 patients. HiSCR-50 and 30% pain reduction were reached in more patients than historical controls but did not differ from the in-trial placebo group. An ongoing phase 3 trial will inform efficacy, safety and potential on-label access.

Drug class

JAK1 inhibitor

Dosing

Adults and adolescents 12 to 64 years: 30 mg by mouth daily. Adults 65 and older: 15 mg by mouth daily.

Monitoring

Baseline: TB screening with chest radiograph, CBC (do not start if ANC under 1,000, ALC under 500, or hemoglobin under 8), hepatic profile, fasting lipids, viral hepatitis screening. On treatment: fasting lipids at 12 weeks then per hyperlipidemia guidelines; CBC and hepatic function as clinically indicated.

Boxed warning

Serious infections, higher all-cause mortality including sudden cardiovascular death versus TNF inhibitors, malignancy, major adverse cardiovascular events, thrombosis.

Adverse effects

Headache, dizziness, urinary tract infection, serious infections, malignancy, MACE, thrombosis.

Evidence trail

References 115

Supplemental Table 50

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with moderate to severe HS, we conditionally recommend short-term systemic corticosteroids.

Population

Moderate to severe HS

Evidence summary

Three case series in 73 patients. A prednisone taper combined with amoxicillin-clavulanate improved patient impression of severity, pain and DLQI by day 14. Duration should be limited to minimize the risks of long-term corticosteroid use.

Drug class

Systemic corticosteroid

Dosing

Prednisone 40-60 mg by mouth daily with a taper over 1 to 2 weeks.

Monitoring

Blood glucose monitoring, especially in patients with diabetes or prediabetes. No additional routine laboratory monitoring required per FDA label for a short-term taper.

Adverse effects

Hyperglycemia and new-onset diabetes, hypertension, cataracts and glaucoma, osteoporosis with long-term use, serious infections, adrenal suppression.

Evidence trail

References 116-118

Supplemental Table 51

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against methotrexate as active therapy. Remark: methotrexate may be used to prevent or manage anti-drug antibodies in patients receiving TNF inhibitors.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

One case series of 15 patients using methotrexate as primary therapy showed nonsignificant reductions in HS-PGA and lesion counts, and no change in disease activity when added to concomitant biologic therapy.

Evidence trail

References 119

Supplemental Table 52

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against azathioprine as active therapy. Remark: azathioprine may be used to prevent or manage anti-drug antibodies in patients receiving TNF inhibitors.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

Two case series showed inconsistent results in 20 patients on monotherapy. Potential adverse effects include bone marrow suppression, opportunistic infection, hypersensitivity, lymphoma and skin cancer.

Evidence trail

References 122, 123

Supplemental Table 53

Conditional Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend against avacopan.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

One RCT in 264 participants reported no difference in HiSCR-50 or 30% pain reduction versus placebo at week 12. Fewer adverse and serious adverse events were reported than with placebo.

Evidence trail

References 126

Supplemental Tables 54-55

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend deroofing to treat recurrent or persistently symptomatic lesions.

Population

Recurrent or persistently symptomatic lesions

Evidence summary

Nine cohort studies and case series in 899 patients. HiSCR-50 was reached in 90% in a prospective cohort of 79 patients. Mean healing time ranged from 4.4 to 10.9 weeks; recurrence of 10-33% was comparable to surgical excision. Complications were uncommon at 1-2%.

Evidence trail

References 136-144

Supplemental Table 62

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend incision and drainage to treat acutely painful abscesses.

Population

Acutely painful abscesses

Evidence summary

Three case series in 256 patients. Viewed positively by patients and led to complete resolution in 26% of cases, but failed to improve HS in 66%. Recurrence is higher than with excision or deroofing.

Evidence trail

References 143, 145, 146

Supplemental Table 63

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS with persistent or recurrent symptomatic lesions, we conditionally recommend lesional or regional excision.

Population

Persistent or recurrent symptomatic lesions

Evidence summary

Evidence spans local excision, CO2 laser excision and vaporization, wide excision and radical excision across dozens of case series and cohort studies including more than 2,400 patients. Procedures are described by anatomic extent and completeness.

Evidence trail

References 142, 148-205, 207-210

Supplemental Tables 64-69

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend laser hair removal.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

One RCT of 755-nm alexandrite laser found HiSCR-50 at 24 weeks more often with four monthly sessions (RR 2.25; 95% CI 1.22-4.15). A non-randomized adjunctive trial found HiSCR-50 at 30 weeks more often with five sessions (RR 3.50; 1.39-8.80), with fewer flares and lower DLQI. Mean pain during treatment was 6.0 on the NRS.

Evidence trail

References 211-215

Supplemental Tables 70-73

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend botulinum toxin.

Population

Axillary HS

Evidence summary

One RCT of intradermal botulinum toxin type B showed reductions in pain VAS and DLQI at three months, without significant differences in inflammatory nodules or total lesion count. An eight-patient case series of type A showed pain reduction.

Evidence trail

References 216, 217

Supplemental Tables 74-75

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend intralesional triamcinolone acetonide to treat acutely painful lesions.

Population

Acutely painful lesions

Evidence summary

One RCT showed no difference in pain or time to resolution versus placebo, while nine cohort studies and case series showed decreases in HS severity, HS-PGA, pain, pruritus and DLQI from 30 days to 12 weeks, along with reduced sinus tract fibrosis.

Evidence trail

References 218-227

Supplemental Tables 76-77

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS on systemic antibiotic therapy, we conditionally recommend adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Population

Patients on systemic antibiotic therapy

Evidence summary

One RCT in 43 patients on clindamycin and rifampicin. Adjunctive HBOT increased the proportion with a 50% or greater decrease in HS Severity Index and DLQI at weeks 4 and 10. Cost, travel, time burden and limited geographic access to hyperbaric centers may limit use.

Evidence trail

References 228

Supplemental Table 24

Good Practice Statement

For pediatric and adolescent patients with HS, we recommend against radiotherapy for the management of HS.

Population

Pediatric and adolescent patients

Evidence summary

Direct evidence in children is sparse, but radiotherapy carries well-established long-term risks in children and adolescents including malignancy, infertility, tissue fibrosis, growth abnormalities and endocrine dysfunction, and safer pediatric options exist.

Evidence trail

Supplemental Table 78

Good Practice Statement

Clinicians should routinely ask patients with HS about pain as part of clinical assessment.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

Pain is common and often severe, with 61% of patients reporting moderate to severe pain, yet stigma may limit disclosure. Validated severity tools include the Numeric Rating Scale, Visual Analog Scale and Wong-Baker FACES. Severity and impact can be assessed together with the Brief Pain Inventory; chronic pain with the Graded Chronic Pain Scale Revised; pain character with painDETECT, the Central Sensitization Inventory and the McGill Pain Questionnaire.

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend supportive pain management in combination with disease-directed therapy. Remark: Clinicians may consider HS pain chronicity, character, and severity when selecting analgesics for pain.

Population

All HS

Evidence summary

HS therapies reduce pain but rarely achieve adequate relief, and undertreated pain leads to preventable suffering, emergency visits, unsafe self-care and disengagement from treatment. Acute pain may be managed with compresses, topical lidocaine, acetaminophen, NSAIDs, intralesional triamcinolone, incision and drainage, short-term steroids, and opioids only if refractory. Chronic pain may be managed with SNRIs, tricyclics, gabapentin, pregabalin, psychotherapy and wound care optimization.

Evidence trail

References 262, 283

Supplemental Tables 97-98

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend tobacco cessation to improve response to disease-directed therapies.

Population

Patients who use tobacco

Evidence summary

Fourteen cohort studies and case series plus one survey of 140 patients. Tobacco use was associated with poorer response to systemic antibiotics and secukinumab and lower rates of remission. Clinicians should follow USPSTF guidance to screen all adults, advise cessation and offer behavioral and pharmacologic support.

Evidence trail

References 286-300

Supplemental Table 99

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS, we conditionally recommend adjunctive oral zinc supplement under clinician guidance.

Population

Under clinician guidance

Evidence summary

Zinc gluconate 90 mg daily produced partial and complete responses in 64% and 36% at six months in a 22-patient pilot. Combinations with topical triclosan or nicotinamide lowered severity scores, pain and flare counts. 90 mg daily far exceeds the recommended dietary allowance, so monitor for interactions and zinc toxicity, and consider copper co-supplementation.

Evidence trail

References 322-324

Supplemental Table 107

Conditional Very Low certainty

For patients with HS and vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, we conditionally recommend vitamin D repletion under clinician guidance.

Population

Patients with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency

Evidence summary

Sartorius score reduction at six months was shown in 75% of 36 patients receiving oral repletion at 25,000-50,000 IU monthly. A 14-patient pilot showed mean nodule count down 51% at six months with no adverse events. Monitor serum 25-OH vitamin D to guide dosing and duration.

Evidence trail

References 325, 326

Supplemental Table 108