Ultrasonography in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of hidradenitis suppurativa: the Italian Ultrasound Working Group experience. (19th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lacarrubba, F.; Dini, V.; Napolitano, M.; Venturini, M.; Caposiena Caro, D.R.; Molinelli, E.; Passoni, E.; Monfrecola, G.
• Other Names: Argenziano Giuseppe investigator.; Berti Emilio investigator.; Bianchi Luca investigator.; Calzavara Pinton Piergiacomo investigator.; Cannavò Serafinella Patrizia investigator.; Costanzo Antonio investigator.; Donini Massimo investigator.; Fabbrocini Gabriella investigator.; Fierro Maria Teresa investigator.; Micali Giuseppe investigator.; Offidani Annamaria investigator.; Parodi Aurora investigator.; Patrizi Annalisa investigator.; Pellacani Giovanni investigator.; Peris Ketty investigator.; Pimpinelli Nicola investigator.; Potenza Concetta investigator.; Romanelli Marco investigator.; Rongioletti Franco investigator.; Solivetti Francesco investigator.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. Volume 33(2019)Supplement 6
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2019-09-19
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15847
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0926-9959

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Ultrasound (US) is a real‐time non‐invasive technique that has been demonstrated to support an early diagnosis and a more precise assessment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Objectives: To compare the clinical and US evaluation of a series of HS patients. Methods: 434 HS patients (259 F, 175 M; mean age 33.82 ±13.31 years) observed across 19 Italian dermatology centres [members of the Italian Ultrasound Working Group (IUWG)] were enrolled in a retrospective study. Clinical staging was obtained by the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Physician's Global Assessment score (HS‐PGA), while the ultrasonographic staging was determined by the US HS‐PGA, based on the same scores as clinical HS‐PGA but performed with the aid of US. Results: At the end of the study, the mean clinical and US HS‐PGA scores were 2.70 and 2.92, respectively. Direct comparison of clinical and ultrasonographic assessment revealed that a higher proportion of patients was classified as having moderate and very severe disease by US. In particular, 117 patients (26.96%) had a worse classification by US HS‐PGA compared to clinical assessment. Conclusion: Our findings confirm that the use of clinical grading only to assess HS severity may underestimate the real disease severity. US examination can be considered an essential non‐invasive imaging tool available to dermatologists for a more accurate diagnosis, staging, treatment planning and monitoring of HS and should be included in the pathway to an optimal standard of care of HS.