title: Hidradenitis suppurativa and zinc: a new therapeutic approach. A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hidradenitis suppurativa (Verneuil's disease) is a chronic suppurative dermatosis involving apocrine glands with a severe impact on the quality of life, which is enhanced by the fact that the drugs usually prescribed are poorly effective.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We discuss a new therapeutic approach based on zinc salts.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a pilot study on 22 patients, mainly from grade I or II in Hurley's classification. All included patients had previously been prescribed a treatment (antibiotic, isotretinoin, surgery or anti-androgens), which was inefficient. They were then treated with 90 mg of zinc gluconate per day (15 mg zinc per Rubozinc capsule).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed a clinical response in all patients, with 8 complete remissions (CR) and 14 partial remissions (PR). When CR was obtained, the treatment was progressively decreased (average of 3.5 capsules/day); 4/22 patients experienced side-effects, mainly gastro-intestinal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zinc salts could provide a new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.
authors: Department of Dermatology, INSERM U601, CHU Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes, France.
authors: Anabelle
authors: A
authors: Brocard
authors: Anne-Chantal
authors: AC
authors: Knol
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Khammari
authors: Brigitte
authors: B
authors: Dréno
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005942:Gluconates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005942:Gluconates; D014131:Trace Elements; C030691:gluconic acid