Introduction: This second part of the S2k guidelines is an update of the 2015 S1 European guidelines.Objective: These guidelines aim to provide an accepted decision aid for the selection, implementation and assessment of appropriate and sufficient therapy for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS).Methods: The chapters have been selected after a Delphi procedure among the experts/authors. Certain passages have been adopted without changes from the previous version. Potential treatment complications are not included, being beyond the scope of these guidelines.Results: Since the S1 guidelines publication, validation of new therapeutic approaches has almost completely overhauled the knowledge in the field of HS treatment. Inflammatory nodules/abscesses/draining tunnels are the primary lesions, which enable the classification of the disease severity by new validated tools. In relation to the degree of detectable inflammation, HS is classified into the inflammatory and the predominantly non‐inflammatory forms. While the intensity of the inflammatory form can be subdivided by the IHS4 classification in mild, moderate and severe HS and is treated by medication accordingly, the decision on surgical treatment of the predominantly non‐inflammatory form is based on the Hurley stage of the affected localization. The effectiveness of oral tetracyclines as an alternative to the oral combination of clindamycin/rifampicin should be noted. The duration of systemic antibiotic therapy can be shortened by a 5‐day intravenous clindamycin treatment. Adalimumab, secukinumab and bimekizumab subcutaneous administration has been approved by the EMA for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe HS. Various surgical procedures are available for the predominantly non‐inflammatory form of the disease. The combination of a medical therapy to reduce inflammation with a surgical procedure to remove irreversible tissue damage is currently considered a holistic therapeutic approach.Conclusions: Suitable therapeutic options while considering HS severity in the therapeutic algorithm according to standardized criteria are aimed at ensuring a proper therapy.

Background: BRAF mutations are a common finding in malignant melanoma (MM). Nevertheless, apart from their significance as a therapeutic target in advanced melanoma, their prognostic value is still debated.Objective: To assess BRAF mutation status in primary, recurrent, or metastatic MM and its correlations with histopathological findings.Methods: We analyzed 203 samples from 178 consecutive patients: 129 primary cutaneous MM, 49 metastatic and recurrent MM of unknown primary site, and 25 cases of recurrences or metastases of primary MM. BRAF mutations in exon 15 were identified with real-time polymerase chain reaction and/or direct sequencing or pyrosequencing. Histopathological examination was performed according to standard procedures.Results: We observed a 42.1% prevalence of BRAF mutations at codon 600 among our patients, 84% of whom harbored the V600E mutation. Mutations showed a statistically significant increase in younger patients (P = 0.011), in ulcerated tumors (P = 0.020), and in tumors lacking solar elastosis in adjacent dermis (P = 0.008). Mutations were also more common in male patients, as well as in primary MMs of the torso, and in nonvisceral metastases, however without reaching statistical significance. Logistic regression analysis identified type and ulceration as the only significant predictors of BRAF mutation. The highest frequencies of mutated BRAF were identified in superficial spreading and nodular types, and the lowest in acral lentiginous and lentigo maligna types. In situ MM and primary dermal melanoma displayed intermediate frequencies.Conclusion: Frequency of mutated BRAF is type-related and correlated with ulceration, a known adverse prognostic factor.

Background/Objective: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that remarkably affects the patients' quality of life. A prospective study of 152 HS patients was conducted in order to depict the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of HS patients in Greece. Materials and Methods: From February 2015 to August 2016, 152 patients attended the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Outpatient Clinic of our department. The most important clinico-epidemiological data of the patients were registered. Descriptive statistics and an ordered logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: Of the 152 patients, 60.5% were females. Their median age was 37 years. A total of 26.3% of the patients suffered from Hurley stage I, 44.7% from Hurley stage II, and 29.0% from Hurley stage III. The median duration of disease was 9 years. The most common site of involvement was the groins. The mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was higher for Hurley stage III. In multivariable analysis, only the body mass index was found to independently predict the disease severity. Conclusion: Among the factors examined, the body mass index appears to independently predict the disease severity. Quality of life evaluation revealed a stronger impact compared to the international experience. To our knowledge, this is the first descriptive epidemiological study among HS patients in Greece.

Introduction Αndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common hair disorder, affecting approximately 50% of men and women. A topical lotion that contains two patented formulas (Redensyl® and Sepicontrol A5®), has been introduced as an alternative approach to standard therapies for AGA. Methods Forty‐four patients with AGA were randomized either to apply the active lotion or the vehicle, twice daily for 24 weeks. Subjects were evaluated at 0, 12, and 24 weeks by clinical examination, photographic documentation, quality of life evaluation (DLQI), and trichogram (anagen to telogen ratio). Results Forty‐one patients, 18 males and 23 females, completed the study. Among patients receiving active treatment (n=26), 7.7% had great improvement, 73.1% had moderate improvement and 19.2% remained stable. The median self‐assessment score increased from 4 at baseline to 6 at 24 weeks (p<0.001), while the DLQI improved from 4 to 3, respectively (p<0.001). The median anagen to telogen ratio increased from 2.25 to 4.00 to 6.02 at week 0, 12 and 24, respectively. No significant adverse events were reported. Conclusion This new topical active blend is effective in the treatment of AGA, with high degree of patients’ satisfaction, improvement of quality of life, and an excellent safety profile. Thus, it may represent a useful alternative therapeutic approach for AGA.

A comparison of dermatological cases generated by artificial intelligence (AI) versus those created without AI by medical students revealed that AI-created cases were characterized by detailed case descriptions, analysis of medical history, and clinical examinations, but lacked the depth, clinical relevance, and motivational elements found in non-AI cases, which were shorter, presented clinical dilemmas, and included challenging scenarios that students found more educational and engaging.

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder of the follicular epithelium. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of colchicine on the clinical outcomes of HS patients, and to evaluate wither colchicine as monotherapy or in combination with doxycycline would provide better outcomes. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted including 44 patients with established HS, divided into three groups. The first group (n = 15 patients) received colchicine as monotherapy, the second group (n = 14 patients) received colchicine and doxycycline 100 mg/d, while the third group (n = 15 patients) received colchicine and doxycycline 40 mg/d. Disease severity during treatment was assessed at baseline and follow-up, using the Hurley Scoring System and the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4). All patients were also asked to complete a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. These scores were compared among the study groups. Results: The DLQI and IHS4 scores significantly improved after treatment with colchicine (p < 0.001) in all groups. All colchicine regimes, including the single colchicine regime, colchicine plus doxycycline 100 mg regime, and colchicine plus doxycycline 40 mg regime, resulted in significant improvements in the DLQI and IHS4 scores (p < 0.001). Clinical improvement based on DLQI and IHS4 scores was similar in all groups. None of the patients had to discontinue the treatment due to adverse events. Discussion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that colchicine may improve clinical severity and quality of life in HS patients, either as monotherapy or in combination with doxycycline, both at antimicrobial (100 mg) and sub-antimicrobial (40 mg) doses.