Efficacy and Patient Satisfaction Associated With Intramuscular Triamcinolone Therapy for Acute Flares of Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Abstract

Background A lack of consensus exists regarding acute flare management in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Intramuscular triamcinolone (IMTAC) therapy is useful in numerous inflammatory conditions; however, it has not been investigated for acute HS flares. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and patient experience associated with IMTAC therapy for acute, severe HS flares. Methods Retrospective analysis and surveys of 45 HS patients were conducted at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/ Montefiore HS Center, Bronx, NY, USA. Results Follow-up visits 6.77 (4.45) weeks after IMTAC therapy revealed significant reductions in mean HS-Physician Global Assessment (PGA) ( P < .001), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) ( P = .03), increased hemoglobin ( P = .004), and improved pain scores ( P < .001). Adjusting for age, sex and concomitant medications, multivariate analysis yielded significantly reduced pain ( P = .02) and increased hemoglobin ( P = .03). Patient surveys indicate that IMTAC was well-tolerated, as reflected in positive mean responses for satisfaction (29 [64%]) and willingness to receive IMTAC injections again (42 [93%]). Conclusions These novel findings demonstrate that IMTAC is a safe, effective, and well accepted adjunct for acute HS management.