A study presented this Wednesday (25) at the Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) 2024 shows that the semaglutide — active ingredient in medications for obesity and type 2 diabetes, such as Wegovy and the Ozempic respectively — helped reduce symptoms and flare-ups of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a common, chronic skin disease.
During the conference, which took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, researchers showed that semaglutide, in addition to helping with significant weight loss, can also be used to treat skin disease in obese people.
The study examined data from June 2020 to March 2023 and assessed the health outcomes of 30 obese patients, 27 women and three men with an average age of 42 years. These patients had varying stages of hidradenitis suppurativa and received semaglutide at an average weekly dose of 0.8 mg for about 8 months.
The researchers monitored changes in patients’ body mass index (BMI), weight, frequency of skin disease flares, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores and pain levels before and after starting semaglutide treatment. They also assessed biochemical markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels.
According to the study, patients experienced fewer hidradenitis suppurativa attacks, with the frequency of these episodes reducing from an average of once every 8.5 weeks to once every 12 weeks. Quality of life also improved significantly, according to the authors, reflected in a reduction in DLQI from 13/30 to 9/30.
Regarding BMI and weight, there were also significant results. According to the research, the average BMI of patients decreased from 43.1 to 41.5 and their average weight dropped significantly from 117.7 kg to 111.6 kg, with one third of patients losing 10 kg or more during the treatment period. Glycated hemoglobin levels also decreased, indicating improved glycemic control, and CRP levels also fell, meaning less inflammation in the body.
“Our findings suggest that semaglutide, even at modest doses, may offer substantial benefits in the treatment of HS. While the drug’s role in promoting weight loss is well established, what is particularly exciting is its potential to also reduce the frequency of HS flare-ups, contributing to the remarkable improvements seen in patients’ quality of life,” said Daniel Lyons, chief investigator at St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland, in a press release.
“These results are highly encouraging and could represent a major advance in the treatment of HS. To build on this progress, larger randomized clinical trials are needed to validate these findings. Furthermore, future research should explore the impact of higher doses of semaglutide and its effects independent of concomitant medications to fully understand its potential,” he adds.
What is hidradenitis suppurativa?
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that mainly affects areas of the skin such as the armpits, breasts, groin, genital region and buttocks. According to the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD), the condition is more common in women after puberty and may be related to inflammation of the hair follicles in these regions, but the exact causes are not yet well established.
Symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa include inflamed, painful lesions such as nodules or lumps, which may develop and drain pus. Treatment currently includes topical medications (antiseptics and antibiotics), systemic medications (to reduce inflammation and control infection), corticosteroid injections, laser treatments and, in severe cases, surgery, biological therapy and strong painkillers.
According to the SBD, studies indicate that hidradenitis suppurativa may be associated with obesity and smoking. Therefore, one of the recommendations for preventing the disease is weight control, not smoking and maintaining a balanced diet.
This content was originally published in Obesity medicine can help treat skin disease, says study on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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