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. 2007;214(4):325-7.
doi: 10.1159/000100883.

Hidradenitis suppurativa and zinc: a new therapeutic approach. A pilot study

Anabelle Brocard  1 , Anne-Chantal Knol, Amir Khammari, Brigitte Dréno
Affiliations

Hidradenitis suppurativa and zinc: a new therapeutic approach. A pilot study

Anabelle Brocard et al. Dermatology. 2007.

Abstract

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (Verneuil's disease) is a chronic suppurative dermatosis involving apocrine glands with a severe impact on the quality of life, which is enhanced by the fact that the drugs usually prescribed are poorly effective.

Objective: We discuss a new therapeutic approach based on zinc salts.

Methods: We performed a pilot study on 22 patients, mainly from grade I or II in Hurley's classification. All included patients had previously been prescribed a treatment (antibiotic, isotretinoin, surgery or anti-androgens), which was inefficient. They were then treated with 90 mg of zinc gluconate per day (15 mg zinc per Rubozinc capsule).

Results: We observed a clinical response in all patients, with 8 complete remissions (CR) and 14 partial remissions (PR). When CR was obtained, the treatment was progressively decreased (average of 3.5 capsules/day); 4/22 patients experienced side-effects, mainly gastro-intestinal.

Conclusion: Zinc salts could provide a new therapeutic alternative for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.

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