Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation - International HS Research Symposium

Sponsors:

Two month follow-up survey conducted
The HSF distributed a two month follow-up questionnaire to all Symposium attendees. The results of the survey provide overwhelming evidence that this first, and future HSF symposiums will be of great benefit to researchers, scientists and clinicians, as well as to individuals and families who live with Hidradenitis Suppurativa. The HSF would like to thank everyone who supported "Directions 2006" and we are actively seeking financial assistance to help us with future symposiums. A PDF of the results of the survey can be found HERE.

summary of "directions 2006"
Thirty-three doctors and the President of the HSF, Michelle Barlow, attended "Directions 2006," the First International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Research Symposium held in Dessau, Germany from March 30 to April 2, 2006. An international group of scientists, researchers and physicians generously volunteered to share their expertise in the pathogenesis and management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa. The symposium represents the prelude to worldwide medical consensus regarding the clinical description, diagnosis and the future directions necessary for the investigation and research of the molecular and cellular nature of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Charting a new course for the international, interdisciplinary, and cooperative evidence-based research of HS, diverse and exciting presentations included new theories on the pathogenesis of the disease, treatment reviews and collaborative debates on disease classification, methods of diagnosis and identifying the most appropriate treatments to relieve pain and suffering.

At the symposium, Michelle Barlow, president of the HSF, presented Gregor B.E. Jemec, MD, a Danish expert on the disease, with the inaugural "HSF Outstanding Investigator Award" for his lifetime achievement in treating and researching HS. Dr. Jemec stated: "The practice of medicine is developing in a number of ways. One very important development has been towards it becoming a more collaborative effort, which involves all legitimate parties: patients, physicians and sometimes also industry. Their common interests far outweigh any differences. The bringing together of physicians and patients in a new, more collaborative relationship allows us to harness all the human energies available for development. Not only of new treatments for the individual patient, but also for the gathering of new insight into the diseases that plague many patients. The HSF is a brilliant example of such collaboration. It is therefore not only to be welcomed as an important new player, but also to be loudly applauded for organizing this meeting."

For Highlights of the Symposium, See the May 2006 issue of the HSF News Brief: LINK

For Symposium Program & ABSTRACTS: PDF

For Symposium Presentations Published in June 2006 Experimental Dermatology: PDF

provided online with permission from the home journal of the HSF experimental dermatology