HSF - MSAB Annotated Hidradenitis Suppurativa Research Database

"Literature reviews of HS
are problematic because of recurring misunderstandings of terminology; numerous
ill-defined therapeutic interventions; inaccurate descriptions of lesions; and even conflicting definitions
of the disorder itself.”
HSF MSAB 2006

March 2008 ALL NEW!! “Experimental Dermatology,” the home journal of the HSF, has published an article entitled “What causes hidradenitis suppurativa?” in their “Controversies in Experimental Dermatology” section. Here, many experts discuss the possible pathobiology of HS in the hopes of heralding in a new tradition: getting to the heart of HS pathogenesis within a framework of solid basic HS research. Definitely a historic first for HS research, this is truly an exciting, landmark publication. To download a full PDF of the article, click HERE.
(permission to make this article available on our website was gratefully recieved by the publisher.)

A considerable amount of Hidradenitis Suppurativa research has been conducted over the years, yet many of these documents are not easily accessible to either medical professionals or patients. By increasing the availability of past and current medical research, the HSF seeks to improve the quality of life for people with HS, enhance the quality of medical care they receive, and raise the profile and understanding of this disease on a global basis. This database contains historical medical research that is selected, reviewed, categorized and annotated by the HSF Medical and Scientific Advisory Board from December 2005 and completed in May 2006. A content list is included within the Annotation PDF by file name, document name and year of publication. These documents have been published in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. All documents are in English.

The Database specifically targets the treating physician and skin researchers. Doctors who treat HS can use this resource to aid their treatment of those with HS. They need to know what they can tell the patient; which clinical and laboratory examinations are required; which treatments must be discussed; and what the preferred options are. Researchers, the medical and pharmaceutical industries, and both government health and medical insurance authorities can use this resource in a multitude of ways, from elucidating the clinical phenotype to reviewing past medical research; to researching the etiology, morbidity and epidemiology of HS; to researching emerging treatments. This tool should eventually allow all concerned to be able to define the condition; separate evidence and the possible from coincidence and the impossible; set the best directions for research; and evaluate which emerging treatments for HS/AI are good candidates for further study and possess the potential to be developed by industry.

Literature reviews of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)/Acne Inversa are problematic because of recurring misunderstandings of terminology; numerous ill-defined therapeutic interventions; inaccurate descriptions of lesions; and even conflicting definitions of the disorder itself. Disease reviews and health information on the internet have sometimes been written without the authors having access to the best evidence, or the most current evidence, or the expertise to assess that evidence. Patients have reported that they have searched for decades without finding information that could help explain the nature of this complex disease, its morbidity, associated complications and treatments. Physicians and researchers continually express frustration at their inability to access many of the HS publications. The timely provision of accurate and reliable HS-specific information will encourage and hasten research into more effective therapies and, one hopes, an eventual cure for this disease.

Copyright Disclaimer
Copyright laws may restrict some of the articles on the FTP site. These articles are provided by the HSF for their exclusive use in teaching, scholarship and research regarding Hidradenitis Suppurativa. To the best of our knowledge, in supplying this material to you, we have followed the United States guidelines of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107 regarding fair use of copyright materials.