Genetics of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), also named acne inversa, is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized clinically by painful lumps, abscesses and scarring (OMIM # 142690). The prevalence of HS in the population is 0.10%, or 98 per 100,000 persons in the United States (US) [1,2] and three times more common in female patients (73.8% women) than male patients (26.2% men), 3-fold greater in African Americans and 2-fold greater in biracial populations than in the overall population [1]. Antibiotics, antiinflammation regiments, acne washes and medicines, and surgical procedure are the premirary current treatment options [3]. Major surgery demonstrated improvements in the HS patients’ overall work and daily activity impairment [4]. However, the disease progression often causes scars leading immobility, markedly affecting quality of life in severe patients who have poor responses to treatments [5].