A pioneering study, presented today at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2024, demonstrates the significant potential of semaglutide in treating hidradenitis suppurative (HS), a common and chronic skin condition, in people with obesity. This is the first study to explore the use of semaglutide for HS, marking a critical milestone in the search for effective treatments for this painful and debilitating condition. HS is currently estimated to affect approximately 1 in 100 people, with obesity being a significant risk factor.
The condition is characterized by painful abscesses and scarring, which can severely impact patients' quality of life. Despite advancements in managing HS, effective treatments remain limited and can cause serious side effects, highlighting a need for alternative and better-tolerated treatment options. The study, which examined data from June 2020 to March 2023, assessed health outcomes for 30 obese patients (27 females, 3 males, average age 42) with varying stages of HS.
Patients received semaglutide – a glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1RA – at a once-weekly mean dose of 0.8mg for an average of 8.2 months.
Researchers monitored changes in body mass index (BMI), weight, flare frequency, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) value, and pain levels before and after starting semaglutide, as well as biochemical markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. The results showed marked imp.