Background: In analogy to acne, oral isotretinoin has been considered in the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Objectives: To assess the efficacy of oral isotretinoin according to patients. Methods: From 1999 to 2006, 358 consecutive HS patients were interviewed and examined. A standardized record of the data was performed for each patient during the first consultation. Patients were questioned regarding the effect of previous treatment with oral isotretinoin: patients had to grade the effect as either ‘improved’, ‘no effect’ or ‘worse’. Results: Fourteen patients (16.1%) declared an improvement, 67 patients (77%) no effect and 6 patients (6.9%) worsening of HS. Conclusion: According to our patients, oral isotretinoin is not effective in the treatment of HS.

Keywords:
Acne inversa, Hidradenitis suppurativa, Isotretinoin, oral, Patient outcome assessment
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© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
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