Background Adalimumab is the only FDA‐approved biologic for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). In the setting of increasing obesity rates worldwide, the relationship between adalimumab efficacy for HS and BMI is essential to understand. We assessed this relationship through markers of disease severity and inflammation. Methods Institutional review board‐approved retrospective chart review of Montefiore/Einstein HS Center (HSC) patients (n = 57) treated with adalimumab. The relationship between BMI and adalimumab efficacy was assessed through disease severity (HS‐Physician Global Assessment [HS‐PGA] 0 and Numerical Rating Scale Pain [NRS‐Pain]) and inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C‐reactive protein [CRP], and interleukin‐6 [IL‐6]). A BMI ≥ 30 is defined as obese; BMI < 30 is defined as non‐obese. Results The mean age was 35.8 ± 13.0 years. After adalimumab therapy, those with BMI < 30 experienced significant reductions in HS‐PGA (−1.5 ± 0.9; P < 0.0001) and NRS‐Pain (−1.6 ± 2.1; P < 0.0001), as well as mean decreases in inflammatory markers ESR, CRP, and IL‐6 (−17.90 ± 23.6, −0.71 ± 1.4, −5.88 ± 7.9, respectively; P > 0.05). Obese patients (BMI ≥ 30) experienced mean increases in HS‐PGA (+0.22 ± 0.8; P > 0.05) and NRS‐Pain scores (+1.41 ± 3.5; P > 0.05) as well as mean increases in ESR, CRP, and IL‐6 (+2.62 ± 28.3, +0.44 ± 3.0, +2.35 ± 6.9, respectively; P > 0.05). Comparing the cohorts, differences in changes in HS‐PGA, NRS‐Pain, ESR, and IL‐6 after therapy are significantly different (P < 0.05). Conclusions We identified significantly lower efficacy of adalimumab in HS patients with BMI ≥ 30 compared to those with BMI < 30. Those with BMI ≥ 30 demonstrated signs of both clinical and physiological deterioration while on adalimumab. Future studies are needed to examine adalimumab dosing for HS patients with high BMI, as well as a critical reconsideration of weight‐based therapies.

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Introduction Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating skin condition that is characterized by painful pustules, nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts. The complicated and fast-evolving treatment of HS consists of a multi-tiered approach that includes, antibacterial, antihormonal, anti-inflammatory, and surgical options. Studies have demonstrated an earlier age of onset and increased prevalence of HS in patients with intellectual and developmental disorders (IDD) compared to patients without IDD’s. Objectives To explore the use of an intensive multi-tiered HS management algorithm that requires monthly office visits, monthly intravenous therapy, and several daily treatment modalities in an HS population with IDD’s. Methods We conducted an IRB-approved retrospective chart review of HS patients treated at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore HS Center (HSC) with diagnoses of concurrent IDD to investigate their demographic and diagnostic characteristics, as well as the spectrum of therapies employed in this cohort. Results A total of 22 HS patients with concomitant IDD’s including trisomy 21, unspecified intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and trisomy 13 were identified. Therapies utilized in this cohort for HS included topical and oral antibiotics, spironolactone, finasteride, oral contraceptive pills, infliximab, adalimumab, isotretinoin, intralesional and intramuscular triamcinolone injections, and excisional surgery. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings indicate that despite the practical challenges, daily oral antibiotic regimens, anti-androgen combinations, oral retinoids, infliximab, adalimumab, and surgery collectively play important roles in treating HS patients with IDD. Our cases underscore the importance of utilizing the full range of modalities as the HS treatment algorithm continues to evolve.

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