Smoking Cessation Outcomes In Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Retrospective Analysis

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease manifesting in recurrent abscesses and nodules which may lead to fistulas, draining sinuses and scarring.1 Smoking remains a significant issue among hidradenitis suppurativa patients, with an ongoing need for effective management to support smoking cessation. A meta-analysis found patients with hidradenitis suppurativa are four times more likely to be smokers compared to controls without HS.2 Non-smokers have been previously shown to have a greater response to first-line medical therapy of hidradenitis suppurativa compared to smokers.3 Additionally, smoking is often a relative contraindication to complex surgical intervention (e.g. flap reconstruction) for hidradenitis suppurativa.