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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview

Received: November 01, 2022
Accepted: January 22, 2023
Published online: March 29, 2023

Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 1

ISSN: 2296-9195 (Print)
eISSN: 2296-9160 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/SAD

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) often coexists with obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, or impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Metformin is a medication used for the treatment of diabetes, acting in multiple ways. There is evidence that it decreases inflammatory cytokines, some of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of HS (TNF-α, IL-17). We performed a systematic review of data regarding the efficacy and safety of metformin for the treatment of HS. Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov), as well as the abstracts compendia of major dermatologic congresses, were searched. A total of 133 patients received metformin for HS across 6 studies, 117 of whom received it as monotherapy. The great majority of participants were female, in their thirties and overweight or obese, with one study including only children. The efficacy tools employed varied widely. Four studies (106 patients) documented improvement, 1 documented treatment failure, and 1 had mixed results. Only mild and transient side effects were noted. Metformin has been tried in few HS patients with acceptable efficacy in a fair number of them. As it is generally well tolerated and reasonably priced, carefully designed clinical trials comparing it with placebo are worth performing.

© 2023 S. Karger AG, Basel

References Jennings L, Hambly R, Hughes R, Moriarty B, Kirby B. Metformin use in hidradenitis suppurativa. J Dermatolog Treat. 2020;31:261–3. Verdolini R, Clayton N, Smith A, Alwash N, Mannello B. Metformin for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: a little help along the way. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27:1101–8. Arun B, Loffeld A. Long-standing hidradenitis suppurativa treated effectively with metformin. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009;34:920–1. Kubba R. Metformin. 28th EADV Congr. 2019:bl 4151. Markowicz-Piasecka M, Huttunen KM, Mateusiak L, Mikiciuk-Olasik E, Sikora J. Is metformin a perfect drug? Updates in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Curr pharm des. Curr Pharm Des. 2017;23(17):2532–50. Moussa C, Wadowski L, Price H, Mirea L, O’Haver J. Metformin as adjunctive therapy for pediatric patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020;19:1231–4. Segura Palacios JM, Sendra MC, del Boz Gonzalez J, Ruiz FR, de Troya Martin M. Metformin for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: our experience with 27 patients. 10th Eur Hidradenitis Suppurativa Conf. 2021:bl 83–4. Sanz Bueno J, Gutiérrez Medina S, Sánchez-Gilo A, Vicente Martín F. Metformin failed to improve hidradenitis suppurativa in a cohort of eleven patients. 26th EADV Congr. 2017:bl 1125. Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview

Received: November 01, 2022
Accepted: January 22, 2023
Published online: March 29, 2023

Number of Print Pages: 4
Number of Figures: 0
Number of Tables: 1

ISSN: 2296-9195 (Print)
eISSN: 2296-9160 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/SAD

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