Novel score can assess severity of hidradenitis suppurativa

(HealthDay)—A novel score can assess the severity of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), according to a study published online June 21 in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Christos C. Zouboulis, M.D., from the Theodore Fontane Medical University of Brandenburg in Dessau, Germany, and colleagues developed and validated a novel scoring system for assessment of HS severity. To achieve consensus toward an initial HS Severity Score System (HS4), the authors conducted a Delphi voting procedure among members of the European HS Foundation.

The researchers evaluated consensus HS4 based on the number of skin lesions, the number of skin areas involved, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index in a sample of 236 patients from 11 centers. Odds ratios were calculated for several clinical signs, and three scores were presented to the second Delphi round. The number of nodules, abscesses, and draining tunnels were used to calculate the resulting International HS Severity Scoring System (IHS4) score. A total score of 3 or less, 4 to 10, and 11 or higher signified mild, moderate, and severe disease, respectively. Cohen's kappa was fair and moderate compared with Hurley classification and Expert Opinion, respectively (κ = 0.317 and 493, respectively).

"The novel IHS4 is a validated tool to dynamically assess HS severity and can be used both in real-life and the clinical trials setting," the authors write.