Neuroscientist | Scientific Consultant in Physics & Theoretical Biology | Author & Co-founder at VMeDx
Answered 5 months ago
Good Day, What are important clinical messages for doctors with respect to HS and cardiometabolic risk? HS is not merely a skin disease. It is a systemic inflammatory disorder based on obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk. Doctors should routinely check their patients of HS against the metabolic syndrome and work with other specializations to manage future long-term health risks as early as possible. What are the treatment choices, including possible use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs)? Just about any standard therapy: antibiotics, hormonal therapy, biologics will help but not all. GLP-1RAs are certainly used for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, and these have shown some promise in decreasing HS flares and inflammation, especially among patients with metabolic comorbidities, although they are not standard yet. What are some psychosocial problems of HS patients? HS has a heavy emotional burden. The chronic pain and scarring and stigmatizing conditions often result in isolation, depression, and anxiety. Screening and openness are very important. Multidisciplinary supportive health care actually improves many measures of quality of life. If you decide to use this quote, I'd love to stay connected! Feel free to reach me at gregorygasic@vmedx.com and outreach@vmedx.com.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is starting to be identified as not merely a skin disease- it is directly related to cardiometabolic health issues such as obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. Clinicians will also begin to screen HS patients with metabolic comorbidities, as a lasting outcome may be achieved by treating both the skin disease and the underlying systemic health issues. GLP-1 receptor agonists have potential in the treatment of the disease, specifically in obese individuals with HS, who may lose weight and some of their inflammatory burden. The other cost that cannot be underestimated, in addition to medical management, is the psychosocial cost of HS. This can be catastrophic, especially for mental health, quality of life and the presumption and constant pain the other periods were getting progressively worse. Such patients would also experience significant benefits related to multidisciplinary care, including dermatology, primary care, endocrinology, and mental health assistance.