Expert Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Pain
Mark J. Jedrzejczak, John R Ingram, Michelle A. Lowes, Haley B. Naik, Anne Marie McKenzie-Brown, Suephy C. Chen, Lauren A.V. Orenstein
Abstract
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that may cause recurrent scarring abscesses and tunnels and may lead to worse quality of life and greater pain than most dermatologic diseases.1 Patients rate HS pain as the most important symptom,2 yet its mechanism is unknown. Approved biologics only modestly decrease HS pain, and most patients live with moderate or worse pain.3 Although international guidelines recommend measuring HS pain,4 therapeutic recommendations are sparse.5 Because expert approaches to HS pain remain poorly described, this study aimed to characterize specialists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices.