European S2k guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa Part 1. Epidemiology, diagnosis and clinical assessment.
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
42610770
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This first part of the S2k guidelines is an update of the 2015 S1 European guidelines based on the structured assessment of clinically relevant topics by the panel of experts. It is complemented by Part 2, which deals with treatments.
OBJECTIVES: These guidelines aim to provide the generalist with expert guidance regarding clinically relevant topics such as, for example, diagnosis, clinimetrics and comorbidities.
METHODS: The S2k level guidelines signify that they are based on expert consensus. This includes all the topics touched upon, all selected after a Delphi procedure among the experts/authors and edited into a coherent whole providing an overview of the subject. Certain passages have been adopted without changes from the previous version. The treatment of the disease and potential treatment complications are not included, being beyond the scope of this guidelines part.
RESULTS: Since the S1 guidelines publication, the literature on HS management has grown rapidly, enabling the current revision. The expansion of the guideline is evident and signifies a major leap forward in HS management.
CONCLUSIONS: The first part of the guideline for HS provides a consensus-based advice aimed at improving the health care of patients with HS at a generalist level through expert advice.
WHY WAS THIS WORK DONE?: The European guidelines for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a painful, long‐term skin condition characterized by pain, pus and boils, were last updated in 2015. With a lot of new research published since then, a group of experts came together to revise and improve the guidance available to general doctors who treat patients with HS. HOW WAS IT DONE?: A panel of experts used a structured voting process to agree on the most important topics to include. These covered areas such as how to diagnose HS, how to measure how severe it is, and how to identify and manage other health conditions that often occur alongside HS. All recommendations were based on expert agreement rather than a single study. This document focuses on everything except treatment, which is covered in a separate guide part 2. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN PRACTICE?: Doctors who are not HS specialists now have access to clearer, more up‐to‐date guidance to help them recognize and assess HS more effectively. This is an important step forward, as better knowledge at the general practice level can lead to earlier diagnosis and improved day‐to‐day care for people living with HS.
OBJECTIVES: These guidelines aim to provide the generalist with expert guidance regarding clinically relevant topics such as, for example, diagnosis, clinimetrics and comorbidities.
METHODS: The S2k level guidelines signify that they are based on expert consensus. This includes all the topics touched upon, all selected after a Delphi procedure among the experts/authors and edited into a coherent whole providing an overview of the subject. Certain passages have been adopted without changes from the previous version. The treatment of the disease and potential treatment complications are not included, being beyond the scope of this guidelines part.
RESULTS: Since the S1 guidelines publication, the literature on HS management has grown rapidly, enabling the current revision. The expansion of the guideline is evident and signifies a major leap forward in HS management.
CONCLUSIONS: The first part of the guideline for HS provides a consensus-based advice aimed at improving the health care of patients with HS at a generalist level through expert advice.
WHY WAS THIS WORK DONE?: The European guidelines for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a painful, long‐term skin condition characterized by pain, pus and boils, were last updated in 2015. With a lot of new research published since then, a group of experts came together to revise and improve the guidance available to general doctors who treat patients with HS. HOW WAS IT DONE?: A panel of experts used a structured voting process to agree on the most important topics to include. These covered areas such as how to diagnose HS, how to measure how severe it is, and how to identify and manage other health conditions that often occur alongside HS. All recommendations were based on expert agreement rather than a single study. This document focuses on everything except treatment, which is covered in a separate guide part 2. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN IN PRACTICE?: Doctors who are not HS specialists now have access to clearer, more up‐to‐date guidance to help them recognize and assess HS more effectively. This is an important step forward, as better knowledge at the general practice level can lead to earlier diagnosis and improved day‐to‐day care for people living with HS.
Date Issued
2026-08-18
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Subjects
Multidisciplinarity
•
Paediatric disease
•
acne inversa
•
classification
•
clinical presentation
•
comorbidity
•
complications
•
definition
•
diagnostic criteria
•
epidemiology
•
ethnicity
•
flares
•
guidelines
•
hidradenitis suppurativa
•
imaging procedures
•
pathogenesis
•
patient‐reported outcome measures
•
pregnancy
•
psychosocial impact
•
quality of life
•
screening
•
severity assessment
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Jemec, G B E | |
Villumsen, B | |
van Straalen, K R | |
van der Zee, H H | |
Valiukevičienė, S | |
Tzellos, T | |
Szepietowski, J C | |
Szegedi, A | |
Saunte, D M L | |
Romanelli, M | |
Raynal, H | |
Prignano, F | |
Prens, E P | |
Podda, M | |
Nassif, A | |
Molina-Leyva, A | |
Matusiak, Ł | |
Marzano, A V | |
McGrath, B M | |
Liakou, A I | |
Kirby, B | |
Kemény, L | |
Just, E | |
Ioannidis, D | |
Ingram, J R | |
Horváth, B | |
Guillem, P | |
Grimstad, Ø | |
Giamarellos-Bourboulis, E J | |
Dolenc-Voljč, M | |
Del Marmol, V | |
Mokos, Z Bukvić | |
Bettoli, V | |
Benhadou, F | |
Bechara, F G | |
Zouboulis, C C |
Additional Credits
Journal
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
Publisher
Wiley
ISSN
1468-3083
0926-9959
Access(Rights)
open.access