Suppurative hidradenitis L73.2

Rare, chronic, recurrent, melting and scarring, neutrophilic, furunculoid, autoinflammatory reaction of skin and subcutis, which manifests itself preferably in the intertriginous areas, i.e. perianal, inguinal and/or axillary. Pathogenetically essential is the destruction of terminal hair follicles in intertriginous skin areas. Smoking and obesity are important predisposing factors in addition to a genetic disposition (Jørgensen AR et al. 2020).

In Denmark, the prevalence in the general population is 1.1%. In England, an incidence of 1:600 is reported. Africans have higher incidences than Europeans.

Chronic, neutrophilic folliculitis associated with destruction of the terminal hair follicles and secondary involvement of the apocrine sweat glands. In some patients, follicular hyperkeratosis with subsequent superinfection can be detected (see acne inversa; acne triad or acne tetrad). In other patients, however, follicular hyperkeratoses cannot be detected. Otherwise, the clinical picture of chronic destructive inflammation of the skin and subcutis is largely identical.

General favoring factors: smoking (90% of pat. are smokers!) sweating, obesity (odds ratio 3.9), metabolic syndrome (Phan K etal. 2019), abrasive clothing, regular shaving of axillary hair, depilatory externals.

Genetic predispositions:

• Mutations in the gamma-secretase complex have been identified in the very rare "familial forms of hidradenitis suppurativa" (see Acne Inversa Familial 2, with or without Dowling-Degos disease; OMIM: 613736).
• MEFV defect (MEFV stands for "MEFV Innate Immuity Regulator, Pyrin"). The protein encoded by the MEFV gene, also known as pyrin or marenostrin, is an important modulator of innate immunity and the inflammatory response in response to IFNG/IFN-gamma. Mutations in this gene are associated with familial Mediterranean fever, a hereditary periodic fever syndrome. MEFV mutations are more common in hidradenitis suppurativa than in the normal population. They are associated with disease severity but are also of pathogenetic significance in many other inflammatory diseases.
• Crohn's disease: Associations with Crohn's disease have been described - the risk of developing HDS is increased threefold (Garg et al 2018).
• Associations with rheumatoid factor-negative polyarthritis, with hypertension and pyoderma gangraenosum are known (see below SAPHO syndrome). Rarer is an association with systemic amyloidosis.
• Paradoxical reactions: of etiological relevance is the evidence that hidradenitis suppurativa can occur as a paradoxical reaction(UAW) during therapy of rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease with TNF-alpha antagonists (Salvador-Rodriguez L et al. 2020).

In a larger American study (Garg A et al. 2018), the age of onset ranged from 28 to 64 years; 56.5% aged 18 - 44 years, 34.2% aged 45- 64 years, 9.3% were > 65 years old. Perianal manifestation is more common in men than in women. Also more frequent in smokers.

Axilla, inguinal region, anal and perianal region, perineum, scrotum, buttocks, inner and extensor sides of the thigh, upper arm region. Rarely nipple area and vulva.

In the early stages, some cases show inflammatory, superficial, bright red, painful nodules and nodules. These can confluent into painful, bulbous abscesses or break open in a purulent manner.

Depending on the clinical manifestation, 3 degrees of severity (Hurley) are distinguished:

• Grade I: Isolated, single or multiple painful abscesses, no scar strands.
• Grade II: Recurrent painful abscesses with stranding and scarring, single or multiple, but no extensive scarring.
• Grade III: Diffuse, plate-like, inflammatory, painful infiltrations, or multiple strands and abscesses connected to each other. Danger of joint contractures due to pain-related restriction of movement.

Early stage: boils and carbuncles; acne inversa.

Late stage: tuberculosis cutis colliquativa; anal fistulas; pilonidal sinus; deep trichophytia; Crohn's fistulas; lymphogranuloma inguinale; actinomycosis.

Recurrence: Recurrences are possible even after radical surgery. The recurrence rate varies depending on the location: axillary about 3%, inguino-perineal about 35%, submammary about 50%. In prolonged courses, the formation of squamous cell carcinoma (Marjolin's ulcer) is possible.

Contractures/fistulas: Dermal contractures with limitation of shoulder and hip joint motion, persistent swelling of external genitalia, deep pararectal fistulas in perianal region, urethral fistulas in genital region remain.

Sepsis: Septic courses arerare .

Increased cardiovascular risk: Apparently, patients with hidradenitis suppurativa are at increased cardiovascular risk (myocardial infarctions, ischemic strokes).

Associated diseases:

• SAPHO syndrome: Increased risk of developing SAPHO syndrome(synovitis, acne/hidradenitis suppurativa, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (Crowley EL et al 2018).
• PASH/PAPASH syndrome: Increased risk for PASH syndrome (pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, and suppurative hidradenitis) or PAPASH syndrome(pyoderma gangraenosum, acne, pyogenic arthritis, and suppurative hidradenitis). These syndromes are associated with mutation in the PSTPIP1 gene(proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interaction protein-1 gene) and the PSENEN gene(PSENEN is the acronym for presenilin enhancer, gamma-secretase complex), respectively (Vinkel C et al. 2017).
• Familial Mediterranean fever: In patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), the most common hereditary autoinflammatory disease, hidradenitis suppurativa may reveal a severe phenotype (Vural S et al. 2017). A molecular link between familial Mediterranean fever and PASH/PAPASH and complex hidradenitis suppurativa is suspected, especially when accompanied by pyoderma gangraenosum, due to the interaction of Mediterranean fever gene(MEFV) and PSTPIP1 products.

Grade I:

• Intralesional triamcinolone crystal suspension injections 5-10 mg (e.g., with Volon A) are indicated for early uncomplicated hidradenitis suppurativa. Abscess incision followed by drainage (e.g., insertion of a polyvidone-iodine-soaked ointment strip) in cases of fluctuation and impending perforation. Concomitant system antibiosis with tetracyclines (Tetracycline-Wolff 1.0-1.5 g/day p.o.), doxycycline (e.g. Doxycycline Stada 100-200 mg/day p.o.) for 14 days until the inflammatory manifestations subside.
• Alternatively: ciprofloxacin (e.g., Ciprobay 2 times/day 250 mg p.o.) or cephalosporins such as cefadroxil (e.g., Cedrox 1.0-1.5 g/day). After obtaining culture results, therapy regimen according to antibiogram.
• Alternative: PIONEER I and PIONEER II studies confirmed good efficacy of adalimumab in this condition (Saunte DML 2017).
• Prophylaxis: After healing, regular treatment of the affected areas with disinfecting and deodorizing agents, e.g. with 15-20% alcoholic aluminum chloride hexahydrate solution R005 or R006 or gel R004. Caution. Not all patients tolerate deodorants based on aluminum chloride! Important: Avoid tight-fitting clothing such as T-shirts, blue jeans, body shirts, etc. No use of deodorant rollers or deodorant sticks.

Grade II:

• Surgicaltherapy: Therapy of first choice, depending on the localization, is radical surgical sanitation of the inflammatory changed areas (Kirschke J et al. 2015). To what extent preoperative therapy with isotretinoin (e.g., acnenormin) 0.5-1.0 mg/kg bw p.o. for 3-6 months should be used is currently undecided (Blok JL et al 2013). The German guidelines do not provide for this. Overall, the success of isotretinoin in hidradenitis suppurativa must be considered rather disappointing (Scheinfeld N 2013).
• In axillary localization: oval-lanceolate circumcision of the secreting glandular areas previously marked by the minor sweat test. For this purpose, aqueous iodine solution is applied in the axilla by means of a stick swab and then powdered with wheat starch; secreting areas are marked in blue-black. Excision is followed by subcutaneous wound margin mobilization and removal of inflammatory conglomerates with dissecting shears. If technically possible, primary wound closure. Postoperative antibiotics. A dressing to prevent abduction motion should immobilize the arm for approximately 7 days. Primary wound closure is often not possible. In these cases, closure can be attempted via mesh graft or the surgical field can be left open. Regular dressings with alginates (e.g. Algosteril, Tegagel), accompanying antibiosis. After appropriate wound granulation meshgraft transplantation.

Grade III:

• Surgicaltherapy: In case of severe extensive hidradenitis of the axillae or genitoanal region, radical excision of the inflammatory field is the means of choice. If possible, start isotretinoin (e.g., isotretinoin-ratiopharm; acnenormin) 0.5-1.0 mg/kg bw p.o. 3-6 months beforehand. If necessary, intravenous antibiotic therapy (e.g., ceftriaxone 1 time/day 2 g i.v.) should be applied preoperatively for 7-10 days. The operations should be performed in clinics that have the necessary experience for this purpose. Details of the surgical procedure are identical to the procedures for grade II hidradenitis suppurativa. Depending on the radicality of the operation, secondary healing shows a recurrence rate of up to 30%. Basically, the more radical the operation, the lower the risk of recurrence!

After healing, regular treatment of the affected areas with disinfectants and deodorants, e.g. with 15-20% alcoholic aluminium chloride hexahydrate solution or gel(R004). Caution! Not all patients tolerate deodorants based on aluminium chloride!

Important: Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes such as T-shirts, tight-fitting jeans, body shirts, etc.

Do not use deodorant rollers or deodorant sticks.

Adalimumab: a system therapy with Adalimumab (Humira®: 40mg s.c./1 x per week - PiONEER I -study) leads to a good clinical outcome after a period of 12 weeks. Adalimumab is approved for this indication (dosing as previously indicated). Dosing for adults with moderate to severe acne inversa: Humira® 80 mg / 0.8 ml: Induction 2 injections 80 mg (week 0: 160 mg), Maintenance: From week 2, one injection 80 mg every other week (see also Lovrić I et al. 2021).

Secukinumab: The use of systemic therapy with secukinumab (Cosentyx® 300mg s.c. every 4 weeks - SUNSHINE and SUNRISE study ) shows a good clinical response rate both within 16 and within 52 weeks. Secukinumab is approved since 2023 for moderate and severe acne inversa/ hidradenitis suppurative: 300mg Cosentyx® s.c.: Induction of subcutaneous injections of 300mg for 4 weeks (0-1-2-3-4), followed by monthly maintenance doses of 300mg s.c. (see also Kimball A et al. 2023).

Experimental: Etanercept (2 times/week 25/50 mg s.c.) to.

Experimental: The use of cyproterone acetate (Diane-35, Androcur-10) tends to be disappointing in women, as does spironolactone.

Experimental: Therapeutic approaches with infliximab (®, 3 infusions, 5 mg/kg bw at weeks 0, 2, 6; followed by 1-year observation period) are found to be positive in a proportion of cases.

Experimental: therapeutic approaches with fumaric acid ester (Deckers IE et al. 2015).

Experimental: focal therapy with botulinum toxn -A. The data situation for this therapy approach needs further studies.

In the best case, only a single solitary abscess formation. If left untreated, the course becomes chronic and progressive. The affected areas may also extend beyond the axillary and ileoinguinal regions, e.g. to the upper arms, thighs and buttocks. The tendency to recurrence is very high even after passive healing. Hidradenitis suppurativa may be a component of various systemic autoinflammatory syndromes such as: PAPASH and PASH.

Familial Mediterranean fever: In patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), the most common hereditary autoinflammatory disease, hidradenitis suppurativa may be associated with a severe phenotype, and may further have overlapping PAPASH-like features (Vural S et al. 2017). A molecular link between familial Mediterranean fever and PASH/PAPASH is hypothesized in patients with complex hidradenitis suppuratia, especially when accompanied by pyoderma gangraenosum . Here, the products encoded by the Mediterranean fever gene(MEFV) and the PSTPIP1 gene appear to interact.

In 1839 the clinical picture was described for the first time by Velpeau. 1854 Fundamental work by Verneuil; his view: Hidradenitis suppurativa was a consequence of inflamed sweat glands. Lane and Brunsting suspected a dependence on acne. In 1989 Plewig and Steger coined the controversial term"acne inversa" for this clinical picture.

There is reason to believe that the clinical term hidradenitis suppurativa does not conceal a clinical entity, but that different causalities lead to a largely identical clinical phenotype. Probably, the clinical picture of acne inversa is etiopathogenetically (and also clinically: evidence of comedone formation!) to be distinguished from (idiopathic) hidradenitis suppurativa. This would also justify different therapeutic approaches!

Smoking seems to be pathogenetically significant. In a larger study, 92% of the respondents were smokers!

Isotretinoin seems to have no therapeutic benefit. Acitretin seems to have positive effects with long-term therapy (Zoubulis CC et al. 2015).

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