Pain Management in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)

Conclusions

• Pain is the most impactful symptom for patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and significantly affects their quality of life.
• There is a notable disparity between patients' and providers' recognition of the importance of pain management in HS.
• Current treatments for HS do not adequately control pain, with minimal reductions reported compared to placebo.
• Patients often resort to self-medication strategies due to inadequate pain control and poor access to care during flares.
• Pain in HS can arise from multiple mechanisms, including nociceptive, neuropathic, and nociplastic pain types.
• Managing HS requires a multimodal approach that encompasses treating both the underlying disease and the associated pain.
• Guidelines for pain management emphasize the need for pain assessment, disease control, and appropriate pharmacologic interventions.
• Successful pain management should involve shared decision-making and collaboration among healthcare professionals and specialist referrals as needed.