LAight Therapy is an Effective and Gentle Treatment in Adolescents Suffering from Hidradenitis Suppurative: Results from 96 Patients Using Real-world Data

Authors

  • Alexandra Strobel Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Informatics, Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Institute of Health, Midwifery and Nursing Science, Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, University Medicine Halle, Germany
  • Michael Schultheis Johannes Gutenberg University, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
  • Petra Staubach Johannes Gutenberg University, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
  • Stephan Grabbe Johannes Gutenberg University, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
  • Katharina Hennig Johannes Gutenberg University, Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
  • Jacek Szepietowski Wroclaw Medical University, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw, Poland
  • Łukasz Matusiak Wroclaw Medical University, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw, Poland
  • Esther von Stebut University of Cologne, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cologne, Germany
  • Uwe Kirschner Dermatology Outpatient Office Dr. Uwe Kirschner, Mainz, Germany
  • Hans Bayer Dermatology Outpatient Office Hautmedizin Bad Soden, Bad Soden, Germany
  • Georgios Nikolakis Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Department of Dermatology, Dessau Medical Center, Dessau, Germany
  • Simone Garcovich Unicamillus, Faculty of Medicine, Rome, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v105.43543

Keywords:

adolescence, paediatric, hidradenitis suppurativa, device-based therapy, side-effects, LAight therapy

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition characterized by the formation of painful nodules, abscesses, and tunnels, typically in intertriginous areas. While HS primarily affects adults, it causes in particular severe distress when it affects adolescent patients. Physicians prefer to avoid the use of systemic medications and surgery in children due to the potential side effects, psychological burden, and long-term consequences. The device-based LAight® therapy combines intense pulsed light and radiofrequency and received EU-wide approval in 2017 for the treatment of adults with all severities of HS. Since 2017, 96 adolescent patients in Germany and Austria have been treated off-label with LAight. A mixed model for repeated measures over 36 weeks on the endpoints Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4), NRS Pain, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) showed that patients starting treatment with a high burden significantly benefited from treatment, while those starting with a low burden could be effectively stabilized at a low level. HS and its management can cause considerable stress and anxiety for children and their families. Gentle and well-tolerated treatments, such as LAight therapy, can contribute to a more positive experience for patients and consequently improve their quality of life.

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References

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Published

2025-09-22

How to Cite

Strobel, A., Schultheis, M., Staubach, P., Grabbe, S., Hennig, K., Szepietowski, J., … Garcovich, S. (2025). LAight Therapy is an Effective and Gentle Treatment in Adolescents Suffering from Hidradenitis Suppurative: Results from 96 Patients Using Real-world Data. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 105, adv43543. https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v105.43543

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Vol. 105 (2025)

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Copyright (c) 2025 Alexandra Strobel, Michael Schultheis, Petra Staubach, Stephan Grabbe, Katharina Hennig, Jacek Szepietowski, Łukasz Matusiak, Esther von Stebut, Uwe Kirschner, Hans Bayer, Georgios Nikolakis, Simone Garcovich

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