title: Scientific evidence for the use of current traditional systemic therapies in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.
abstract: Traditional systemic therapies are frequently prescribed for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Clinicians consider antibiotics, retinoids, antiandrogens, immunosuppressants, and less common treatment, such as fumarates, in the management of HS. Different classes of medications have been selected to treat HS based on their ability to target various pathways of the condition. Concerns about infection, such as infection with Clostridium difficile, necessitates switching therapy or shortening the course of therapy with specific antibiotics. This review explores the outcomes with the use of numerous medical therapies and postulates explanations for their efficacy or lack of response. Data on long-term safety and efficacy with traditional systemic therapies are lacking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: raed.alhusayen@sunnybrook.ca.
authors.forename: Raed
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alhusayen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Neil H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Shear
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012176:Retinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012176:Retinoids
keywords: antiandrogens; antibacterials; evidence-based medicine; fumarates; hidradenitis suppurativa; immunosuppressants; retinoids; zinc