Lauren Orenstein, MD

2020 Awardee: Race and Sex Disparities in Biologic Medication Prescription for Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Its Influence on Opioid Use

Assistant Professor in the Department of Dermatology at Emory University School of Medicine

Amount of award: $10,000

Layman’s Statement

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic painful skin disease. Many patients with HS end up using opioids for pain. The only FDA approved treatment for HS, adalimumab, has been shown to reduce HS pain. However, it is unknown whether adalimumab decreases opioid use in HS. It is also unknown whether minorities have equal access to this medication. Using the medical records of HS patients cared for in the Emory Health System, we will assess if adalimumab prescriptions reduce opioid use and whether there are differences between races in access to adalimumab prescriptions. This work has the potential to demonstrate racial disparities in HS treatments and opportunities for reducing chronic pain and disability among patients with HS.