Long-term results of isotretinoin in the treatment of 68 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND Oral isotretinoin has been used to treat mild to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). OBJECTIVE We reviewed the results of low-dose isotretinoin for 4 to 6 months in the treatment of 68 patients with HS. METHODS This is a retrospective study. Data are presented in terms of response rate, long-term follow-up, and the relation between response rate and severity. RESULTS In 16 patients (23.5%), the condition completely cleared during initial therapy and 11 patients (16.2%) maintained their improvement during the follow-up period. Treatment was more successful in the milder forms of HS. CONCLUSION Monotherapy with isotretinoin for patients with HS usually has a limited therapeutic effect.