Clinical phenotypes, comorbidities and complications of acne inversa

Abstract

Acne inversa (AI) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease involving hair follicles and sebaceous glands. It is usually complicated by acne conglobata and perifolliculitis capitis abscedens et suffodiens. The main clinical manifestations are abscesses, sinuses, and scars in areas bearing apocrine sweat glands. The pathogenesis of AI is complicated and remains unclear so far, and its occurrence shows familial aggregation. Recently, great progress has been made in researches on clinical phenotypes and comorbidities of AI, such as rheumatic diseases, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and so on. The authors summarize its phenotypes and comorbidities, in hope to enhance understanding of this entity, so as to offer patients individualized systemic treatment strategies, and increase their quality of life. Key words: Hidradenitis suppurativa; Clinical phenotypes; Comorbidities; Complications