BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a distressing condition for which no satisfactory treatment is available. Studies on hormonal mechanisms responsible for HS point towards altered end-organ sensitivity, probably related to the enzyme 5a reductase that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Finasteride, an inhibitor of type II 5a reductase, has been reported to be effective in recalcitrant HS. AIM: To study the effectiveness and tolerability of finasteride in patients with HS in a preliminary trial. METHODS: Seven patients (five women and two men) with HS that was not responding well to antibiotics were treated with finasteride at a dose of 5 mg/day as monotherapy. Clinical response was assessed at regular intervals. Patients were followed up for periods varying from 8 months to 2 years. RESULTS: Six patients improved significantly and three of them had complete healing of lesions. Two patients who were followed up for more than 1 year experienced remissions lasting 8-18 months. The drug was generally well tolerated; however, two women complained of breast enlargement. CONCLUSION: The results of this preliminary study suggest that finasteride is an effective therapeutic option in HS.
BACKGROUND:Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a distressing condition for which no satisfactory treatment is available. Studies on hormonal mechanisms responsible for HS point towards altered end-organ sensitivity, probably related to the enzyme 5a reductase that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Finasteride, an inhibitor of type II 5a reductase, has been reported to be effective in recalcitrant HS. AIM: To study the effectiveness and tolerability of finasteride in patients with HS in a preliminary trial. METHODS: Seven patients (five women and two men) with HS that was not responding well to antibiotics were treated with finasteride at a dose of 5 mg/day as monotherapy. Clinical response was assessed at regular intervals. Patients were followed up for periods varying from 8 months to 2 years. RESULTS: Six patients improved significantly and three of them had complete healing of lesions. Two patients who were followed up for more than 1 year experienced remissions lasting 8-18 months. The drug was generally well tolerated; however, two women complained of breast enlargement. CONCLUSION: The results of this preliminary study suggest that finasteride is an effective therapeutic option in HS.
Authors: Peter Theut Riis; Ditte Marie Saunte; Viktoria Sigsgaard; Axel Patrice Villani; Philippe Guillem; José C Pascual; Naomi N Kappe; Annika M J D Vanlaerhoven; Hessel H van der Zee; Errol P Prens; Moetaz El-Domyati; Hossam Abdel-Wahab; Nayera Moftah; Rania Abdelghani; Eugenia Agut-Busquet; Jorge Romaní; Carol Hlela; Lerinza van den Worm; Vincenzo Bettoli; Giada Calamo; Mehmet Ali Gürer; Burcu Beksaç; Lukasz Matusiak; Amelia Glowaczewska; Jacek C Szepietowski; Lennart Emtestam; Jan Lapins; Hassan Riad Kottb; Mohammad Fatani; Lisa Weibel; Martin Theiler; Maïa Delage-Toriel; Thi Thanh Hong Lam; Aude Nassif; Pierre-Andre Becherel; Mateja Dolenc-Voljc; Nejib Doss; Dorra Bouazzi; Farida Benhadou; Veronique Del Marmol; Gregor B E Jemec Journal: Arch Dermatol Res Date: 2020-03-12 Impact factor: 3.017