International Journal of Women's Dermatology (Jun 2020)

Integrated multidisciplinary approach to hidradenitis suppurativa in clinical practice

  • Assia Timila Touhouche, Resident,
  • Benoit Chaput, MD, Phd,
  • Rose Marie Rouquet, MD,
  • Emilie Montastier, MD,
  • Philippe Caron, MD, Phd,
  • Yvon Gall, MD,
  • Christian Aquilina, MD,
  • Serge Boulinguez, MD,
  • Marie Claude Marguery, MD,
  • Françoise Giordano-Labadie, MD,
  • Juliette Mazereeuw, MD, Phd,
  • Carle Paul, MD, Phd,
  • Maria Polina Konstantinou, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 3
pp. 164 – 168

Abstract

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Background: The European hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary approach for patients with HS and management of comorbidities. Objective: We aimed to describe the organization of a multidisciplinary HS program and characterize the patient population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with HS undergoing prospectively defined multidisciplinary work-up including examinations by a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, smoking specialist, and nutritionist in our outpatient unit between October 2015 and January 2017. Results: The study included 49 patients with a sex ratio of 1:1. A total of 73.4% of patients were smokers, 20.4% were overweight, 48.9% were obese, and 30.6% had symptoms of depression. The mean Sartorius score was 30.4 (±17.6). The outcome of plastic surgery consultation was as follows: 16 patients had operations, 5 were excluded based on medical history, 9 refused surgery, and 16 remained undecided. The refusal rates for consulting with the smoking cessation and nutrition specialists were 55.8% and 69.5%, respectively. Twelve patients received antibiotics, 9 received biologics, 9 underwent medico-surgical treatment, 9 underwent surgery, and 10 were lost to follow-up. The mean visual analogue scale score for satisfaction was 8.3 (±1.6; n = 28). Conclusion: An integrated multidisciplinary care model for HS is associated with high patient satisfaction. Adherence to the proposed comorbidity management was higher in female patients and related to empathetic interactions with physicians.

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