Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent and debilitating inflammatory skin disease of the hair follicle that usually presents as painful, deep-seated inflamed lesions in the apocrine gland-bearing areas of the body. HS patients suffer from uncomfortable signs and symptoms, such as pain, pruritus, malodour and suppuration, which may impair patients’ quality of life (QoL). Although HS patients frequently experience these signs and symptoms, they are only occasionally assessed by clinicians and, unexpectedly, the scientific evidence available is limited and heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to summarize the evidence regarding the impact of HS signs and symptoms on QoL to serve as a basis for future research and help clinicians to consider them in the daily care of HS patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA Guidelines. The following search algorithm was used: (hidradenitis or “acne inversa”) and (pain or itch or odour or malodour or suppuration or oozing or drainage) and (“quality of life”). The literature search identified 836 references, 17 of them met the eligible criteria and were included for analysis, representing 4929 HS patients. Mean age of the participants was 36.28 years and there was a predominance of female sex among study participants. The BMI of the population was in the range of over-weight and about two out five patients were active smokers. Studies included patients with mild to moderate HS, with a mean disease duration of 13.69 years. The HS signs and symptoms assessed were pain, pruritus, malodour and suppuration. Overall, the higher intensity of a sign or symptom correlated with poorer general QoL or specific QoL dimensions including sexual distress, anxiety, depression and sleep. The most frequently employed tool to assess QoL was the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). DLQI was used in 52.9% of the studies (9/17) with a mean value of 10.70 (2.16 SD). The scores employed to assess signs and symptoms severity were subjective and varied between studies, being the numerical rating scale (NRS) for each of the most used symptoms. The mean NRS value for pain was 3.99 and the mean NRS for pruritus was 4.99. In conclusion, we have summarized, categorized and analyzed the scientific evidence regarding signs and symptoms in HS patients and their impairment in QoL. Their assessment should be thorough and included during routine evaluation of HS patients to motivate therapeutic modifications and increase patients’ health.

Tetracyclines and clindamycin plus rifampicin combination therapy are both considered first-line therapy in current Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) guidelines. However, evidence for their efficacy is drawn from small studies, often without validated outcomes. To assess the 12-week efficacy of oral tetracyclines and a combination of clindamycin and rifampicin. A prospective, international cohort study performed between October 2018 and August 2019. In total, 63.6% of the included 283 patients received oral tetracyclines and 36.4% were treated with clindamycin and rifampicin. Both groups showed a significant decrease in IHS4 from baseline (both p<0.001). HiSCR was achieved in 40.1% and 48.2% of patients, respectively (p=0.26). Patient characteristics or disease severity were not associated with attainment of HiSCR or the minimal clinically important differences for the DLQI and pain. Cohort study. Respectively 23.9% and 19.4% of patients had to be excluded from the HiSCR analysis for the tetracycline and combination therapy group due to a low abscess and nodule count at baseline. This study shows significant efficacy of both tetracycline treatment and clindamycin and rifampicin combination therapy after 12 weeks in patients with HS. No significant differences in efficacy were observed between the two treatments, regardless of disease severity.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global pandemic that has spread all over the word. To avoid the virus transmission, healthcare workers (HCWs) must wear adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is associated with several side events, including skin reactions. The objective of this study is to summarize the prevalence, type and risk factors for cutaneous adverse events related to PPE and prevention measures to avoid them. A systematic review and metanalysis was conducted using Medline, Scopus and Embase databases from conception to 21^st January 2021. All types of epidemiological studies regarding skin adverse events related to PPE were included. The literature search identified 1,007 references, 35 of them met the eligible criteria and were included for analysis, representing 31,453 participants. The media of skin side events related to PPE was 75.13%. The rate of cutaneous adverse events related to mask was 57.71% and those associated with gloves and hand hygiene products was 49.16%. Most common skin adverse events were contact dermatitis, acne and itching. The most damaged anatomical regions were the nasal bridge, the cheeks and the hands. The duration of PPE wearing was the most common risk factor. Frequent hand washing, gloves and masks were the agents most frequently related to skin reactions. N95 respirators were the most harmful mask type for the skin. Hydrocolloid use prevented from developing skin adverse events related to masks. In conclusion, the rate of cutaneous adverse events related to PPE use is high. A longer duration of PPE wearing was the most common risk factor. Using hydrocolloid could prevent from skin injuries related to mask use.

Skin is damaged in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. Age is also believed to have a negative effect on epidermal barrier function. The aim of this study was to investigate skin barrier function changes with age in AD patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted including 162 participants, 81 AD patients and 81 healthy volunteers. Skin barrier function parameters, such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema, temperature, stratum corneum hydration (SCH), pH, and elasticity, were evaluated. Healthy volunteers were evaluated on the volar forearm. AD patients were measured on two regions: on an eczematous lesion on the volar forearm and on a non-involved area 5 cm from the affected area. TEWL was lower on healthy skin than uninvolved AD skin (9.98 vs. 25.51 g·m⁻²·h⁻¹, p < 0.001) and AD eczematous lesions (9.98 vs. 28.38 g·m⁻²·h⁻¹, p < 0.001). SCH was lower on AD eczematous lesions than uninvolved AD skin (24.23 vs. 39.36 AU, p < 0.001) and healthy skin (24.23 vs. 44.36 AU, p < 0.001). Elasticity was lower on AD eczematous lesions than uninvolved AD skin (0.69 vs. 0.74, p = 0.038) and healthy skin (0.69 vs. 0.77, p = 0.014). A negative correlation was found between age and elasticity in all the population (r = −0.383, p < 0.001). This correlation was stronger in AD patients (r = −0.494, p < 0.001) than in controls (r = −0.266, p = 0.092). After conducting a linear regression model in AD patients adjusted by age, sex, and SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), it was found that elasticity was impaired by an increasing age (β = −0.004, p < 0.001) and a higher SCORAD (β = −0.003, p < 0.001). The skin barrier function is impaired by age and AD, reflected mainly in poor elasticity values in older AD patients.