Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Patients with Metabolic Comorbidities

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin condition associated with an increased prevalence of individual metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and with the metabolic syndrome, as a constellation of these risk factors. This places affected patients at an increased risk of early cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Moreover, many of the therapeutic options, including the newer biologics, used in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa have both beneficial and adverse metabolic effects. Therefore, it is critical for physicians to consider the complex interactions between the disease process and the treatment options in the holistic management of these patients with an intrinsically higher risk of metabolic consequences. Other chronic systemic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis have been studied more extensively with regard to their associations and share an underlying link with the metabolic syndrome; we can draw upon the existing knowledge in our understanding and management of hidradenitis suppurativa.