title: Long-term efficacy of infliximab in hidradenitis suppurativa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic disease with painful, inflamed lesions in the apocrine gland-bearing areas of the body and unsatisfactory treatment. TNFα blockers have been proposed as promising treatments, but only few randomized, short-term, small controlled trials have been conducted. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term response of HS patients treated with infliximab (IFX).
  
  
  METHODS
  A long-term, prospective study of 10 patients with moderate-severe refractory HS treated with IFX was performed, including assessment of therapy safety, disease severity, and activity. Previous reports on IFX treatment for HS were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lack of response was observed in 20% and relapse in 50% of patients, after a median period of 37 weeks. The median number of doses administered was 7.5 during 49 weeks. No life-threatening adverse events were detected. Systematic review of 61 previously published cases showed lack of response was associated with previous surgery, young age at diagnosis, and long time of evolution of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term IFX therapy might be an efficient, well-tolerated, safe option for patients with short-time evolution, severe HS. Relapse is common after 8 months of continuous treatment, especially in patients with more severe disease and in those treated with IFX in monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain. Sabela.Paradela.de.la.Morena@sergas.es
authors.forename: Sabela
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paradela
authors.forename: Romina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Lojo
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernández-Torres
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arévalo
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab