title: Cyclosporine treatment of severe Hidradenitis suppurativa--A case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an overlooked but common disease severely affecting both genders. HS is generally perceived as difficult to treat and although a number of treatments are available, the need for more effective treatment is apparent.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Cyclosporine A (CsA) has been suggested as an effective treatment in four smaller case series. It was therefore decided to review a larger series of cases, reporting all outcomes in order to provide a less biased base for evaluating the potential of CsA for use in HS.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory retrospective review of case notes was performed at three departments of dermatology with a special interest in HS, where HS had been treated with CsA in the period 2009-2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 18 HS patients treated with CsA were identified and analysed and 50% reported some benefit. All patients had previously been treated with multiple various other modalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is an exploratory retrospective review with a limited number of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This retrospective review found some effect of CsA in the recalcitrant cases studied, mainly reported as "slight improvement". This may be due to a number of factors which may have overestimated (e.g., concommitant therapy) or underestimated (e.g., case selection of recalcitrant cases) the effect, and indicates the need for prospective evaluation of the claims. The present data provide a basis for power calculations in future studies investigating the potential for treating HS with CsA in a randomised controlled trial.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology , Health Sciences Faculty, Roskilde Hospital, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark .
authors.forename: Marianne D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: b Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Ferrara , Arcispedale S. Anna , Ferrara , Italy , and.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zauli
authors.affiliation: b Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , University of Ferrara , Arcispedale S. Anna , Ferrara , Italy , and.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bettoli
authors.affiliation: c Department of Dermatology , Deventer Hospital , Deventer , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jurr
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boer
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology , Health Sciences Faculty, Roskilde Hospital, University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark .
authors.forename: Gregor B E
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Jemec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine
keywords: Acne inversa; cyclosporine; hidradenitis suppurativa; treatment