2. Understanding Moderate Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Estimated completion time: 15–20 minutes

Learning Objectives

After completing this section, learners should be able to:

• Explain why Hurley staging alone may underestimate active inflammatory disease.
• Assess HS severity across 3 complementary domains: inflammatory activity, structural damage, and patient-reported burden.
• Calculate and interpret the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System, or IHS4.
• Recognize clinical findings that may indicate moderate HS before advanced scarring or extensive tunnels develop.
• Use validated outcome measures to support, rather than replace, clinical judgment.