Decreased number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in hidradenitis suppurativa patients.

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is nowadays regarded as a systemic disease associated with metabolic syndrome. Some recent studies have also demonstrated an increased cardiovascular risk in patients with HS. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an integral role in the regulation and protection of the endothelium and in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis.

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to determine the possible alterations in the number of EPCs in patients with HS compared to controls.

METHODS

The number of EPCs, identified as CD133+/KDR+ cells, was determined with flow cytometry in the peripheral blood of 25 HS patients and 31 controls.

RESULTS

The number of EPCs was significantly reduced in HS sufferers compared with controls (p < 0.0001). The mean number of EPCs was assessed as 191.3 ± 118.5/ml and 672.4 ± 343.0/ml for patients and controls, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A decreased number of EPCs among HS sufferers may contribute to endothelial malfunction resulting in increased cardiovascular risk in this group of patients.