Integrating primary palliative care into hidradenitis suppurativa management

• Published in: International journal of women's dermatology Vol. 8; no. 4; p. e063
• Main Authors: Shih, Terri, Zell, Monica, Karlin, Daniel, De, Devea R, Smogorzewski, Jan, Shi, Vivian Y, Hsiao, Jennifer L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-12-2022; Wolters Kluwer
• Subjects: Art of Prevention; palliative care; hidradenitis suppurativa; prevention
• ISSN: 2352-6475; 2352-6475
• DOI: 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000063

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, often debilitating skin condition that disproportionately impacts women in the United States and other Western nations. Dermatologists should consider incorporating palliative care principles into HS management to optimize care. Primary palliative care principles include utilizing evidence-based frameworks in serious illness communication, acknowledging and addressing physical and psychosocial suffering, recognizing and validating the burden of disease in partners, families, and caregivers, and engaging in collaborative care coordination. Certain patients may also benefit from outpatient, or sometimes inpatient, palliative care specialist collaboration, such as those with refractory HS and superimposed challenging psychosocial dynamics and symptom burden. Through integration of these palliative care domains into HS care, dermatologists can optimize their ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate care for patients suffering with this disease.