title: Hidradenitis suppurativa treated with tetracycline in combination with colchicine: a prospective series of 20 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder of the follicular epithelium.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of tetracycline with colchicine in the treatment of HS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients (10 women and 10 men) with HS were included in an open, prospective, pilot study. All patients were treated with 100 mg minocycline administered orally once per day in combination with 0.5 mg colchicine administered twice per day for 6 months followed by a maintenance regimen of 0.5 mg colchicine administered orally twice per day for 3 months. Patients were examined at baseline and thereafter every 3 months for a total of 9 months. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated using a physician's global assessment (PGA) scale, the Hurley scoring system, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant improvement in clinical manifestation was reflected in scores on the Hurley scoring system and DLQI. According to the PGA, patients achieved substantial improvement or complete remission. Clinically, all patients started to show signs of improvement within the first 3 months of therapy and continued to improve over the next 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that the combination of the anti-inflammatory actions of colchicine and minocycline is effective in disease control in HS. Colchicine emerged as a safe option for the maintenance of the obtained result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Skin Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Kalliopi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Armyra
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Skin Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Anargyros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kouris
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Skin Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Markantoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Skin Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsambas
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Andreas Sygros Skin Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kontochristopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008911:Minocycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006074:Gout Suppressants; D008911:Minocycline; D003078:Colchicine