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.