Efficacy of non-surgical monotherapies for hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review and network meta-analyses of randomized trials

Objective We determined the relative efficacy of non-surgical monotherapies for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Methods Network meta-analyses were conducted to determine treatments' surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value (i.e. an estimate that ranks efficacy); pairwise comparisons were conducted. Results and conclusions Ten trials were eligible for quantitative analyses; however, all did not have a common endpoint. Outcomes corresponded to pain severity, clinical response, quality of life and abscess count. For pain reduction, infliximab was ranked most efficacious (SUCRA = 94%) compared to bermekimab, anakinra and placebo; infliximab reduced pain more significantly (p < .05) than anakinra and then placebo. For the occurrence of clinical response, bimekizumab had the highest SUCRA (67%) relative to adalimumab, anakinra and placebo; bimekizumab was more efficacious than placebo (p < .05). For the quality of life in mild HS, Botox had the highest SUCRA (94%) compared to adalimumab and placebo; Botox was more efficacious than placebo (p < .05). For reduction in abscess count, oral tetracycline had the highest SUCRA (48%) compared to topical clindamycin and vehicle. Our work-being the first NMA study on non-surgical HS monotherapies-contributes to the comparative effectiveness literature for this condition.

Automated summary

This study compared the efficacy of non-surgical monotherapies for hidradenitis suppurativa through network meta-analyses. The results revealed significant differences in pain relief, clinical response, and quality of life among different drugs. Additionally, oral tetracycline showed the highest efficacy in reducing abscess count.