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Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa satisfied with CO2 laser evaporation treatment

Patients treated with carbon dioxide laser evaporation for hidradenitis suppurativa reported satisfaction with the procedure despite a more than 29% recurrence rate of lesions, according to study results.

Researchers in Copenhagen, Denmark, interviewed 58 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) treated with CO₂ laser evaporation by phone or in person regarding recurrence and satisfaction after a mean of 25.7 months. Patients were asked to rate their current disease activity in the operated area on a five-point scale ranging from much worse to great improvement.

Seventeen patients (29.3%) reported recurrence of HS lesions in the treated areas after a mean of 12.2 months. Obesity was a significant risk factor for recurrence (HR=4.53; 95% CI, 1.41-14.56), whereas smoking status (HR=4.54; 95% CI, 0.956-21.56) was not considered significant after adjustments were made for age, sex, BMI and number of locations, according to the researchers. General satisfaction, defined as some or great improvement, was reported by 55 patients (95%).

Fifty-three patients (91%) reported they would recommend the procedure to other patients with HS, and of those patients, 15 experienced recurrence. None of the patients reported worsening of disease activity. – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.