Expert consensus on unmet needs, referral criteria and treatment goals for hidradenitis suppurativa in Saudi Arabia.

Publisher: Informa Healthcare Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8918133 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1471-1753 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09546634 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Dermatolog Treat Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: London : Informa Healthcare
Original Publication: Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK : M. Dunitz and Macmillan Press, [c1989]-

Hidradenitis Suppurativa*/therapy ; Hidradenitis Suppurativa*/diagnosis ; Referral and Consultation*/standards ; Referral and Consultation*/statistics & numerical data ; Consensus* ; Delphi Technique*; Humans ; Saudi Arabia ; Severity of Illness Index ; Comorbidity ; Dermatologists/standards ; Dermatologists/statistics & numerical data ; Quality of Life ; Patient Education as Topic/standards ; Treatment Outcome

Purpose: There is limited information about the diagnosis and treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This Delphi consensus study was conducted to develop recommendations for the management of HS in the KSA. Methods: The expert panel including 12 dermatologists with extensive experience treating HS patients provided nine consensus statements and recommendations on diagnosis and assessment, management, comorbidities and multidisciplinary approach, and education. The experts also developed clinical questions pertaining to the management of HS and rolled out as a survey to 119 dermatologists practising in the KSA. Results: The topics covered included: referring physicians' awareness of HS; referral criteria for HS; definition of moderate-to-severe HS; treatment goals; definition of treatment success; treatment and biologic initiation; comorbidities and multidisciplinary approach; patient education and awareness of HS. Full consensus (100%) from the expert dermatologists was received on all the topics except referring physicians' awareness of HS, definition of treatment success, and treatment and biologic initiation. The survey results resonated with the expert opinion. Conclusion: As HS is a chronic disease with negative impact on quality-of-life, timely diagnosis and treatment, early identification of comorbid conditions and a multidisciplinary care approach are crucial for effective management of HS.

Keywords: Delphi consensus; Saudi Arabia; hidradenitis suppurativa; multidisciplinary approach; referral criteria

Date Created: 20240611 Date Completed: 20240611 Latest Revision: 20240611

20240612

10.1080/09546634.2024.2353693

38862417