Our research group wants to improve care for people living with HS. We study the disease from different angles, including treatment, inflammation, quality of life and long-term disease burden.
Our research includes clinical studies, laboratory research, patient-reported outcomes and clinical trials. By doing so, we aim to better understand the disease, the patient perspective, and how treatment and overall patient care can be improved.
We work together with patients, doctors, researchers and national and international partners.
HS can have a major impact on daily life and the overall quality of life. People with HS may experience pain, discomfort, shame, problems with movement, and difficulties in work or social life.
Our research aims to improve the care of people living with HS by developing better treatment options, increasing our understanding of the disease, and exploring how HS affects everyday life.
The HiCare project aims to improve care for people living with HS. Together with Erasmus MC and the Dutch Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patient Association (Hidradenitis Patiënten Vereniging; HPV), we work to strengthen the organisation of HS care and promote closer collaboration between healthcare professionals with expertise in HS. Our goal is to ensure that every person with HS receives the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
In addition, we aim to improve knowledge and awareness of HS among both healthcare professionals and people living with HS by making reliable, evidence-based information easily accessible. By empowering patients with the knowledge and tools they need to better understand and manage their condition, we hope to strengthen self-management, support shared decision-making, and increase autonomy over their own care.
The HiCare project is made possible through the support of Novartis, AbbVie, and UCB.
We are actively involved in national and international clinical studies and trials evaluating both current and emerging treatments for HS. These studies investigate the safety and effectiveness of new medications. Some of our research also focuses on identifying which treatments may work best for different groups of patients. By participating in clinical research, we contribute to the development and evaluation of innovative therapies that may improve disease control, reduce symptoms and enhance quality of life for people living with HS. Our research also contributes to scientific knowledge and may help improve future treatment guidelines and standards of care.
We study the inflammation underlying hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and the biological differences between the various types of HS lesions. To support this research, we are building a dedicated biobank containing tissue samples from different HS manifestations. This allows us to investigate the mechanisms that drive the disease, identify differences between lesion types, and better understand why HS varies from person to person. Ultimately, this research may contribute to more personalized treatment strategies and improved care for people living with HS.
