Study: Semaglutide Benefits Obese Patients with Common Skin Condition

A groundbreaking study unveiled today at the EADV Congress 2024 showcases semaglutide's promising potential in treating hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a prevalent and chronic skin disorder, particularly in individuals with obesity.

This pioneering research marks a crucial step in identifying effective treatments for HS, a condition currently affecting an estimated 1 in 100 people. HS is characterized by painful abscesses and scarring, which can drastically diminish the quality of life for sufferers. Obesity is a significant risk factor for HS, complicating the management of this debilitating condition. Despite recent advancements, treatment options remain limited and often come with severe side effects, underlining the necessity for more effective and better-tolerated alternatives.

The study analyzed health data from June 2020 to March 2023, involving 30 obese patients with different stages of HS. Participants were administered semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonist, at an average weekly dose of 0.8mg over approximately 8.2 months.

The findings indicated considerable improvements across several important health metrics. Patients experienced a reduction in the frequency of HS flare-ups, with incidents dropping from once every 8.5 weeks on average to once every 12 weeks. Additionally, there was a significant enhancement in patients’ quality of life, as reflected by a drop in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DQLI) score from an average of 13/30 to 9/30.

Moreover, patients' average Body Mass Index (BMI) decreased from 43.1 to 41.5, and their mean weight saw a notable reduction from 117.7kg to 111.6kg, with one-third of the participants losing 10kg or more during the treatment period.

Further improvements were evident in biochemical markers. HbA1c levels, which indicate glycaemic control, decreased from 39.3 to 36.6, while average C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, fell from 7.8 to 6.9.

Dr. Daniel Lyons, the lead researcher, commented, "The outcomes of our study suggest that semaglutide, even at relatively modest doses, provides significant benefits in managing HS. While semaglutide’s role in supporting weight loss is already recognized, its potential to reduce the occurrence of HS flare-ups is particularly noteworthy. This contributes to the substantial improvements in the quality of life for patients."

Dr. Lyons also highlighted the potential implications of these findings, stating, "The results are extremely promising and could signify a major advancement in HS treatment. However, larger randomized controlled trials are required to validate these initial findings and confirm the efficacy of semaglutide in this new application."