title: Oral clindamycin and rifampicin combination therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa: a prospective study and 1-year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited data exist on the use of systemic antibiotic treatment for hidradenitis supportive (HS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness, safety and relapse rate of HS treated with a combination of daily oral clindamycin and rifampicin.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, hospital-based study of oral clindamycin 600 mg and rifampicin 600 mg daily for 12 weeks for treatment of HS. Patients were followed up for 1 year to monitor for relapse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 26 patients with HS received oral clindamycin and rifampicin. Most were overweight or obese (73%), and most were smokers (88%). After 12 weeks, clinical response was noted in 19 patients (73%). Response was associated only with female sex (P = 0.02), and not with body mass index, Hurley stage or lesion location. Eight patients (31%) experienced adverse events. At the 1-year follow-up, there was sustained efficacy in 7 (41%) patients, while 10 (59%) had disease relapse after a mean time of 4.2 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral clindamycin with oral rifampicin for 12 weeks is an effective and tolerable regimen for HS.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Dermatology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dessinioti
authors.affiliation: First Department of Dermatology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zisimou
authors.affiliation: First Department of Dermatology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tzanetakou
authors.affiliation: First Department of Dermatology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stratigos
authors.affiliation: First Department of Dermatology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002981:Clindamycin; D012293:Rifampin