TY - JOUR T1 - Primary care management of hidradenitis suppurativa: a cross-sectional survey of UK GPs JF - BJGP Open JO - BJGP Open DO - 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0051 SP - BJGPO.2021.0051 AU - Fiona Collier AU - Rachel Howes AU - Jeremy Rodrigues AU - Kim Thomas AU - Paul Leighton AU - John Ingram Y1 - 2021/07/28 UR - http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2021/07/29/BJGPO.2021.0051.abstract N2 - Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease which causes painful discharging nodules and skin tunnels. HS has associations with several systemic diseases, including cardiovascular (CV) disease and anxiety-depression. High levels of chronic morbidity suggest an important role for Primary Care. However, little evidence exists regarding current management of HS and its co-morbidities in UK General Practice.Aim To describe current practice amongst UK GPs in treating and referring people with HSDesign & setting Web-based survey circulated to UK Primary Care Dermatology Society members and GPs in Forth Valley, Scotland.Method Survey responses were analysed with descriptive statistics.Results 134 UK GPs completed the survey. 71% (n=94) saw at least one patient with HS in the previous month. 94% (n=125) reported confidence in diagnosis, and 87% (n=120) in initial treatment of HS. Most GPs initiated topical treatments and extended courses of oral antibiotic for HS, and many advised regarding adverse lifestyle factors. A minority provided analgesia, or screening for CV disease risk factors and anxiety-depression. Most GPs referred to Dermatology if Secondary Care input was required, with few referrals to specialised multi-disciplinary services.Conclusion GPs regularly diagnose and manage uncomplicated HS, but screening for important co-morbidities associated with HS is not common practice. ER -