270 Impact of COVID-19 infection on hidradenitis suppurativa activity

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease manifest as painful nodules, abscesses, and draining sinus tracts (“tunnels”). Recent studies have shown increased inflammation and immune system hyperactivity are hallmarks of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and typically forecast disease progression. Coincidentally, chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are characteristic of HS. We sought to examine if COVID-19 infection affected HS activity. An IRB-approved retrospective chart review and telephone survey of patients receiving care at the Einstein/Montefiore HS Center (HSC) was conducted between September-December 2021.