Pain management in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Pain management in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

  • IRAS ID

    340556

  • Contact name

    Hannah Elizabeth Wainman

  • Contact email

    hannah.wainman@bristol.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Bristol, Research Governance Team, Research & Enterprise Division

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 6 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, painful, long-term skin condition that causes recurrent or persistent boil-like nodules and tunnels under the skin. Commonly affected sites are the skin folds such as the armpits, groin, or under the bust. It affects 1 in 100 people, although this is likely a conservative estimate as we know it takes a long time for the diagnosis to be made.

    Research has shown that pain is the most troublesome symptom reported by patients with HS. It has been highlighted as a key area for future research in HS. Dermatologists need to be better at discussing pain with their patients, its impact on their daily lives and its psychological effects. There is limited research on the best ways to manage pain in HS or how the pain impacts patients.

    Some research has been done on pain management in dermatology, but this tends to focus on post-surgical pain. There is little discussion of HS in those that consider chronic painful dermatological conditions.

    The aim of this project is to first establish HCPs' views on prescribing analgesia in dermatology and the impact and barriers experienced by patients. This will inform a Delphi process, where people interested in managing HS pain ( patients, dermatologists, primary care HCPs and pain specialists) come together to reach a consensus on managing pain in HS. This will help inform future clinical trials into managing pain in HS.

  • REC name

    HSC REC B

  • REC reference

    24/NI/0122

  • Date of REC Opinion

    16 Oct 2024

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion