Biomarkers in hidradenitis suppurativa

ORIGINAL ARTICLE, p 1252 Only the study of monocausal lethal diseases does not require quantitative outcomes. In the complex multicausal continuous world of nonlethal disease, quantification is key to accelerated development as has been shown in rheumatology. Within a short time span, rheumatology has transformed itself into a modern speciality more akin to applied immunology, by developing clear measures of disease severity. In spite of the immediate visibility and easy access to skin compared with joints, dermatology appears to be lagging behind rheumatology in this aspect. For nonlethal diseases, disease quantification is a prerequisite for evidence‐based medicine, for studies of pathogenesis and risk factors. Because the skin represents our interface with the ever‐changing environment, this holds particularly true for dermatology. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is attracting increasing attention in the academic community. It causes significant morbidity, it is a common disease, it is difficult to treat and many important discoveries remain to be made. Accurate disease quantification would be a significant help in the process. It is therefore highly welcome that Wieland and co‐workers have studied the possible role of myeloid marker S100A8/A9 and lymphocyte marker soluble interleukin (IL)‐2 receptor as possible biomarkers in HS.1