Improving hidradenitis suppurativa patient education using written action plan: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The waxing-and-waning nature of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), complex treatment plans, along with variable responsiveness to therapy, can create management challenges for patients. In this pilot cross-over randomized controlled trial, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness a HS-written action plan (HSWAP) on patient disease understanding and confidence in recognizing flares and adjusting management. Participants were randomized into a pre-crossover control group that received a verbal consultation (VC)-only, and an intervention group which received the VC + HSWAP. The pre-crossover control group then crossed over (post-crossover control) to also receive the VC + HSWAP (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04600375). Patient comprehension of their disease and management steps was high after both a thorough VC and HSWAPs. However, the majority of patients prefer receiving both a VC and a HSWAP. After the addition of the HSWAP, pre-crossover control group patients’ understanding and confidence of their disease and management plan increased across all surveyed questions.

Keywords:

• Hidradenitis suppurativa
• written action plan
• randomized controlled trial
• management

Disclosure statement

VYS is on the board of directors for the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (HSF), a stock shareholder of Learn Health, and has served as an advisor, investigator and/or speaker for Sanofi Genzyme, Regeneron, AbbVie, Burt’s Bees, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Galderma, Leo Pharma, SUN Pharma, Menlo Therapeutics, TARGET-DERM, Kiniksa, GpSkin, and Skin Actives Scientific. JLH is on the board of directors for the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation (HSF), has served as an advisor for Novartis and speaker for AbbVie. IH serves on the advisory board for AbbVie, a principal investigator for Pfizer Inc. Bayer, Lenicura and Incyte, a consultant for Incyte, Pfizer, UCB, Boehringer Ingelheim, Clarify Medical and Jansen, the president of HS Foundation, and a sub-investigator for Chemocentyx. Other authors have no relevant conflict of interest to declare. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).