Semaglutide Benefits Quality of Life in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment

Credit: Kenny Eliason/Unsplash

Semaglutide in patients with obesity and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) achieved significantly improved quality of life and fewer disease flare-ups when added to standard HS therapies, according to new research.¹

These retrospective data, presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2024, marked the first study to explore the use of semaglutide for HS, a common and chronic skin condition affecting approximately 1 in 100 people.

“Our findings suggest that semaglutide, even at modest doses, can offer substantial benefits in managing HS,” said lead investigator Daniel Lyons, MD, St Vincent’s University Hospital.² “While the drug’s role in promoting weight loss is well-established, what’s particularly exciting is its potential to also reduce the frequency of HS flare-ups, contributing to the notable improvements in patients’ quality of life.”

HS is defined by painful abscesses and scarring, notably impacting patients’ quality of life.³ Advancements in disease management are limited by serious side effects, indicating the need for alternative and more tolerable therapy options. With a well-established link between HS and obesity, semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) licensed for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, could positively impact disease control and quality of life in patients with obesity and HS.¹

In this study, Lyons and colleagues evaluated outcomes for 30 patients (n = 27 female; mean age, 42 years) with obesity and varying stages of HS. Examining data from June 2020 to March 2023 on patients who received once-weekly semaglutide 0.8 mg for an average of 8.2 months, the team monitored changes in body mass index (BMI), weight, flare frequency, pain levels, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) value. Biochemical markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, were also collected.

A mixed-effects analysis measured for significance before and following the initiation of semaglutide, with significance set as P <.05. Upon analysis, Lyons and colleagues identified notable improvement in multiple key measures of patient outcomes after semaglutide therapy.

The population’s average BMI dropped from 43.1 to 41.5 (95% CI, –2.041 to 10.4, P = 0.4818) and mean weight from 117.7 kg to 111.6 kg (95% CI, 2.880 9.293; P <.0001). Approximately one-third (33.3%) of patients lost ≥10 kg of weight during the treatment period.

After semaglutide initiation, patients reported fewer HS flare-ups, with a decrease in frequency from once every 8.5 weeks to once every 12 weeks. This was demonstrated in a reduction of the DLQI score from 13 of 30 to 9 of 30 (95% CI, 1.696 to 10.68; P = .0014), showing improvement in quality of life once semaglutide was initiated.

Approximately one-third (33.3%) of the population had a DLQI reduction of ≥4 points, matching or surpassing the minimally important difference for the DLQI. Biochemical markers demonstrated further benefit after semaglutide initiation—mean HbA1c fell from 39.3 to 36.6 (95% CI, 0.2234 to 9.696; P = .0335) and average CRP decreased from 7.8 to 6.9 (95% CI, –2.142 to 5.110; P = .9503).

Lyons indicated these data could represent a breakthrough for HS treatment, but larger randomized controlled trials are needed to build on these data and validate the findings.² He also called for further research into the effects of higher semaglutide doses, independent of concomitant medications, to better elucidate its potential in HS.

“Ultimately, we hope our preliminary data will encourage dermatologists to consider weight loss medication as an adjunct to existing HS treatments and inspire further research in this area aimed at improving outcomes for people living with this challenging condition,” Lyons added.²

References

1. _{Lyons, D., Nathan, A., Pender, E., Murray, G., Smith, C., Kirby, B., & Hughes, R. (2024). Semaglutide for weight loss in obese patients as an adjunctive treatment for hidradenitis suppurative: Its impact on disease control and quality of life. Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2024. September 25-28, 2024.}
2. _{EurekAlert. Semaglutide improves outcomes for obese patients with common skin condition, new study shows. Published September 24, 2024. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1058391}
3. _{Scuderi N, Monfrecola A, Dessy LA, Fabbrocini G, Megna M, Monfrecola G. Medical and Surgical Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017;3(2):95-110. doi:10.1159/000462979}