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Date of Award
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Diana Hawthorne, MSPAS, PA-C
Abstract
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition marked by painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts primarily affecting intertriginous areas of the body. HS imposes a significant physical and emotional burden due to its disfiguring nature, high recurrence rate, and impact on quality of life. Despite growing awareness, HS remains widely underdiagnosed, with patients often enduring symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. The pathogenesis of HS is very complex involving a combination of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, follicular occlusion, and environmental risk factors such as obesity and smoking. Diagnostic criteria are based on characteristic lesions, anatomical distribution, and chronicity, with disease severity assessed using systems like the Hurley classification and the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4). Management strategies involve lifestyle modifications, topical and systemic medications, and targeted biologic therapies. Recent advances, including FDA-approved biologics such as adalimumab and secukinumab, as well as novel agents like PDE-4 inhibitors, offer promising treatment options for moderate to severe HS. Surgical interventions, including excision and laser therapy, remain crucial for refractory or advanced cases. As research continues to uncover the underlying mechanisms of HS, a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach remains essential for improving outcomes and addressing the full spectrum of disease burden.
Recommended Citation
Jones, Kaitlyn, "Navigating the Complexities of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Guide for Practitioners" (2025). Capstone Showcase. 27.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2025/pa/27
Navigating the Complexities of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Guide for Practitioners
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition marked by painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts primarily affecting intertriginous areas of the body. HS imposes a significant physical and emotional burden due to its disfiguring nature, high recurrence rate, and impact on quality of life. Despite growing awareness, HS remains widely underdiagnosed, with patients often enduring symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. The pathogenesis of HS is very complex involving a combination of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, follicular occlusion, and environmental risk factors such as obesity and smoking. Diagnostic criteria are based on characteristic lesions, anatomical distribution, and chronicity, with disease severity assessed using systems like the Hurley classification and the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4). Management strategies involve lifestyle modifications, topical and systemic medications, and targeted biologic therapies. Recent advances, including FDA-approved biologics such as adalimumab and secukinumab, as well as novel agents like PDE-4 inhibitors, offer promising treatment options for moderate to severe HS. Surgical interventions, including excision and laser therapy, remain crucial for refractory or advanced cases. As research continues to uncover the underlying mechanisms of HS, a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach remains essential for improving outcomes and addressing the full spectrum of disease burden.