New hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) clinical resource launches this week on epgonline.org, the website for healthcare professionals

epgonline.org, the website for healthcare professionals, has recently announced the addition of a new clinical resource on hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa. The Hidradenitis Suppurativa Knowledge Centre presents information in a series of key sections, including disease awareness information and treatment options using both conventional and newer biologic agents.

HS is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory skin disease, which commonly develops post-puberty in skin regions bearing apocrine glands, notably axillae, inguinal and anogenital areas. HS has an adverse effect on patients’ quality of life [von der Werth and Jemec 2001; Matusiak et al., 2010; Esmann and Jemec, 2011; Onderdijk et al., 2013], with a greater adverse effect associated with increasing severity of disease. HS has a great emotional impact on patients resulting in isolation due to fear of stigmatisation. Reports of shame and irritation are common and relate to the odour, scars, itching and pain caused by the disease [Esmann and Jemec, 2011].

Registered members of epgonline.org can access this resource free of charge at the following address: https://www.epgonline.org/hidradenitis-suppurativa-knowledge-centre/en/index.cfm. Clinical content is divided into three primary sections. ‘Disease Awareness’ provides accurate, fully referenced information, including epidemiological data, pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis and assessment. The ‘Treatment’ section explores the different options available depending on disease severity with a summary of recommendations from the European treatment guidelines. Downloadable patient materials and links to networks for patients and healthcare professionals can be accessed via the ‘Resources’ section.

Dr Toby Galbraith, Director of Content Strategy for epgonline.org, said: “Hidradenitis suppurativa is a relatively uncommon but very distressing condition for patients, and this distress can be lessened by early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. We hope this new educational resource will provide valuable information to aid healthcare professionals in helping their patients.” The Hidradenitis Suppurativa Knowledge Centre has been developed by epgonline.org and sponsored by AbbVie,
with scientific content provided by AbbVie.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• EPG Health Media is a digital communications company and publisher of epgonline.org, which provides healthcare professionals worldwide with free access to a wealth of clinical content, carefully developed and curated from trustworthy sources and conveniently organised by disease, medical specialty and information type. Content includes localised prescription drug information, disease-focused 'Learning Zones', treatment guidelines, drug and industry news, clinical trial information and journal article abstracts.
• AbbVie began as the pharmaceutical leader, Abbott, which was founded in 1888 by Chicago physician, Dr. Wallace Abbott. Since then, Abbott has evolved to become a global healthcare leader, delivering innovative pharmaceutical, nutritional, diagnostic, and medical products to people around the world. AbbVie’s focus is on developing medicines that can provide strong clinical performance, measurable patient benefit and economic value, particularly in areas where there is significant need, such as hepatitis C, neuroscience, immunology, oncology, chronic kidney disease and women’s health.

References:
1. von der Werth JM, Jemec GB. Morbidity in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. Br J Dermatol. 2001;144:809-13.
2. Matusiak L, Bieniek A, Szepietowski JC. Psychophysical aspects of hidradenitis suppurativa. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010;90:264-8.
3. Esmann S, Jemec GB. Psychosocial impact of hidradenitis suppurativa: a qualitative study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2011;91:328-32.
4. Onderdijk AJ, der van Zee HH, Esmann S, Lophaven S, Dufour DN, Jemec GB, et al. Depression in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27:473-8.

EPG Health Media is a digital communications company and publisher of epgonline.org, which provides healthcare professionals worldwide with free access to a wealth of clinical content, carefully developed and curated from trustworthy sources and conveniently organised by disease, medical specialty and information type. Content includes localised prescription drug information, disease-focused 'Learning Zones', treatment guidelines, drug and industry news, clinical trial information and journal article abstracts.

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This release was published on openPR.