Joel Schlessinger M.D.

Joel Schlessinger MD recently administered a study at the Advanced Skin Research Center researching the effectiveness of treating Hidradenitis suppurativa with adalimumab. This study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine under the title “Adalimumab for the Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.”

Hidradentitis supperativa is a chronic skin condition that causes draining and foul-smelling areas around the armpits, groin, underneath the breasts and other areas. The area becomes swollen and can be very painful. Usual treatments include surgical openings of the swellings along with antibiotics.

This study was performed to investigate the use of tumor necrosis factor antagonists, a class of drugs that are used to suppress the immune system, in treating the symptoms of Hidradenitis supperativa. Eligible patients were those with moderate to severe symptoms who did not respond well to antibiotics.

Across the country, 154 patients were divided into three groups that received either adalimumab every week, adalimumab every other week or a placebo drug. After 16 weeks, all patients received adalimumab every other week but if the condition worsened, the treatment was changed back to every week. This study took place over the course of a year.

After the study ended, researchers found that patients who initially received adalimumab every week and improved symptoms and better measure of quality of life. When the treatment was reduced, some patients had worsening symptoms. Serious side effects were not common but had a similar pattern across all groups.

Unfortunately, the trial was not large enough to measure for serious infections or cancers that have been reported with the use of adalimumab to treat other diseases. It was concluded that more patients were needed to better understand the treatment of Hidradentitis supperativa with adalimumab.

Joel Schlessinger MD is the owner and operator of the Advanced Skin Research Center located in Omaha, Neb. This established dermatology research center provides quality data to many pharmaceutical companies to advance the care of various skin conditions.

Joel Schlessinger MD performs many studies every year. To learn more about these studies and see if you qualify to be a patient, visit the website here.