Combination therapy with clindamycin and rifampicin for hidradenitis suppurativa: a series of 116 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND

Antibiotics are frequently used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa (HS); however, few data on their efficacy are available.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of systemic clindamycin (300 mg twice daily) and rifampicin (600 mg daily) in the treatment of patients with severe HS.

METHODS

Patients (n = 116) who received this combination were studied retrospectively. The main outcome measure was the severity of the disease, assessed by the Sartorius score, before and after 10 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

The Sartorius score dramatically improved at the end of treatment (median = 29, interquartile range = 14.5, vs. median = 14.5, interquartile range = 11; p < 0.001), as did other parameters of severity as well as the quality of life score. Eight patients (6.9%) stopped the treatment because of side effects.

CONCLUSION

The combination of clindamycin and rifampicin is effective in the treatment of severe HS.