Semaglutide, the active ingredient in new weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy, may treat symptoms of the crippling disease Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a chronic skin disease estimated to affect about one person in every 100. HS results in painful boils and dimples scarring, which drastically affects a person’s quality of life.
Present on the EADV Congress, a new research found that Semaglutide can affect the development of semaglutide in obese patients with grades of HS. This study involved patients who were receiving injections every week at an average low dose of 0.8 mg for eight months. The study followed the changes in several health indicators, including body mass index (BMI), weight, flare frequency, pain levels, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), a standardized measure of the impact of skin diseases on daily life.
The flare-ups decreased by a remarkable 75 % when viewed on average from once every 8.5 weeks to once every three months. In addition, patients’ quality of life improved significantly as indicated by mean DLQI score reduced by four from 13 to nine. Interestingly, one-third of the participants had a reduction of four points or more in the DLQI score, which is equivalent to or greater than the threshold for clinically meaningful improvement.
This, said the lead researcher into this study, Dr Daniel Lyons from St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, “are really important results,” he added, “While the role of this drug in promoting weight loss is well established, its potential to reduce the flare-ups of HS [hidradenitis suppurativa] could contribute significantly to the management of this condition.”
This adds to the expanding list of benefits associated with GLP-1 agonists; drugs that stimulate hormones that enhance the sensations of fullness and reduce blood sugar levels. In addition to these benefits associated with weight loss, they have been shown to have a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease and may even possess anti-aging properties. Researchers say the reason this drug has offered so much health benefit is that it lowers inflammation, a factor linked to many chronic diseases.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa usually presents with painful nodules and abscesses that can occur anywhere near the hair follicles. They commonly appear in areas rich in sweat glands, like the underarms and breasts. The investigators aim to increase their number of cases to determine if more patients will still affirm these promising findings.
She hopes this preliminary data will inspire dermatologists to consider concomitant antiobesity drugs with traditional therapies for HS and prompt further investigation in order to enhance the modest success experienced by her patients in managing this challenging condition.
