Hidradenitis Suppurativa in 64 Female Patients: Retrospective Study Comparing Oral Antibiotics and Antiandrogen Therapy
- 1 July 2007
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
- Vol. 11 (4), 125-131
- https://doi.org/10.2310/7750.2007.00019
Abstract
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a recurrent disease confined to apocrine gland-bearing areas causing painful, deep-seated lesions and draining sinus tracts. Uniformly effective therapy is lacking. Improvements in current medical management strategies are needed. We sought to determine the success rate for a variety of treatments in our female HS patients and whether androgen-related tests can predict a response to antiandrogen therapy. As HS has been linked to a hyperandrogen state, we sought to determine if it is also associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A retrospective chart review was performed examining hormonal profiles and the response to a variety of treatments in female patients with HS. Sixty-four female HS patients were identified (mean age 33 years). Antiandrogen therapy was superior to oral antibiotic therapy (55% vs 26%) based on a two-sample, two-sided, t-test statistic (p < .04). The prevalence of PCOS among our study patients in whom androgen markers were available was 8 of 21 (38.1%), and even if taken over all study patients, not necessarily investigated for PCOS, the prevalence was 8 of 64 (12.5%). This reflects a greater than expected prevalence among all women (10%). As a proof-of-concept study, despite limitations inherent in a retrospective chart review, there is sufficient signal to suggest that a hormonal manipulation approach to therapy should be considered in all women presenting with HS. Female patients presenting with HS should prompt investigations for underlying PCOS and insulin resistance.Keywords
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