Brain Activity and Symptom Study in Adults with Hidradenitis Suppurativa Using Resting-State fMRI Assessing Changes Before and After Routine Biologic Treatment

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating brain activity in adults with hidradenitis suppurativa HS, a chronic skin condition, to understand how resting brain function relates to disease severity, pain, sleep quality, mood, and overall quality of life. The study also compares brain activity between adults with HS and healthy individuals of similar age and sex. Additionally, it examines changes in brain activity after patients receive routine biologic or small-molecule treatments for HS. Participants include adults with HS and healthy controls. Those with HS undergo baseline clinical assessments, questionnaires, skin ultrasound, laboratory testing, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI. A subgroup of HS participants receiving routine biologic or small-molecule therapy will be assessed before treatment and followed for 3 months with repeat fMRI to monitor brain activity changes after therapy. During the study, participants complete evaluations of HS severity, pain, sleep, mood, and quality of life. Imaging with resting-state fMRI and skin ultrasound is performed alongside laboratory tests and photography of affected skin areas. Follow-up assessments last up to 3 months for those receiving treatment. Researchers measure brain activity patterns and their changes using advanced fMRI metrics to understand their connection with clinical symptoms and treatment effects.

Exploration of Brain Functional Networks in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa Using fMRI