Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS)
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a long-term, inflammatory, recurrent, skin condition that causes painful inflamed nodules, or abscesses on the skin, around sweat glands, usually located in the armpits, groin, stomach and/or buttocks.1
HS usually starts after puberty, most commonly affecting people in their 20s or 30s and impacts more women than men. It is estimated to affect more than 4% of people worldwide, and about approximately 1% of people living in Europe and the United States.2,3
In more advanced stages of the disease, tunnels (also known as sinus tracts or fistulas) may form under the skin.4,5,6 The draining tunnels (dT) can sometimes leak fluid and pus. People with dT experience a higher disease burden as they have more nodules and scarring and are more likely to have symptoms such as inflammation, malodorous drainage, pain, depression, and fatigue.7
HS is often difficult to manage and is currently treated with surgery and/or a range of medications, including some with novel mechanisms of action which have recently expanded the therapeutic options.8 Extensive surgery may be needed to treat more severe cases, and this can involve a long recovery time and burdensome complications, including pain and post-operative bleeding and infections.1
Many people with HS cycle through different treatment options demonstrating a high unmet need for new effective options to manage the condition.9,10,11 In particular, for people living with HS, it is recognized that there is a lack of effective treatments to specifically address unmet needs such as reducing pain, drainage (including explosive openings), odor, and fatigue.11
At Boehringer Ingelheim, we are undertaking a comprehensive clinical trial program to develop innovative treatments that hopefully help to improve the care of people living with HS.
References:
- Zouboulis CC, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29:619‒644.
- Goldburg SR, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020; May;82(5):1045 – 1058.
- Nguyen TV, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021; 35: 50‒61.
- Kimball AB, et al. N Engl J Med. 2016;375:422‒434
- Ingram JR, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022;36:1597‒1605
- Zouboulis CC, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2017;177:1401‒1409.
- Ingram JR, et al. EHSF 2023. Poster P-139.
- Alikhan A, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;81:91‒101.
- Bettoli V, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30:1965‒1970.
- Hasan SB, et al. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2021;46:1023‒1027.
- Garg A, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82:366‒376.