Content & Research Process

War Against HS exists to provide people affected by Hidradenitis Suppurativa with accurate, accessible, and research-informed educational content. HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that is frequently misdiagnosed, undertreated, and poorly understood - even within the medical community. Patients and caregivers often struggle to find reliable information that reflects current scientific understanding.

Our purpose is to close that gap. We aim to translate peer-reviewed research, clinical guidelines, and expert consensus into clear, practical information that empowers patients to understand their condition, ask better questions, and engage more effectively with their healthcare providers.

All content published on War Against HS is researched using credible, authoritative sources. We apply a hierarchy of evidence that prioritizes peer-reviewed research and established clinical guidelines over anecdotal reports or unverified claims. The following source categories form the foundation of our research process:

Our Six-Step Review Process

Our content aims to reflect the current scientific understanding of Hidradenitis Suppurativa as accurately and responsibly as possible. We approach health information with the following principles:

We recognize that medical knowledge evolves continuously. Content that was accurate at the time of publication may become outdated as new research emerges. We monitor the literature and update our content accordingly.

One of the most important distinctions on this website is the difference between educational health information and medical advice. Understanding this distinction helps readers use our content appropriately and safely.

The information on this website is intended to help you become a more informed patient - not to replace the individualized care of a physician who knows your full medical history. Always bring questions raised by our content to your healthcare provider.

Accuracy requires more than finding a single supporting reference. When possible, we cross-reference key claims against multiple credible sources to confirm consistency and identify any conflicting evidence in the literature.

Our source verification approach includes:

• Primary source preference - we consult the original published study or guideline rather than relying on a secondary summary or news report of the research
• Multi-source cross-referencing - significant claims are checked against at least two independent credible sources where available
• Conflict identification - when sources disagree or evidence is mixed, we present the range of findings rather than selecting only the evidence that supports a single conclusion
• Recency weighting - more recent research is weighted appropriately, particularly in a fast-moving field like HS where treatment options have expanded significantly in recent years
• Institutional verification - for regulatory information (drug approvals, safety updates), we verify directly with the relevant regulatory body (FDA, EMA) rather than relying on third-party reports

Despite our verification efforts, we acknowledge that errors can occur. If you identify information that appears inaccurate or outdated, please contact us at [email protected] so we can review and correct it promptly.

The science of Hidradenitis Suppurativa is advancing at a meaningful pace. New biologic therapies are entering clinical trials, existing treatments are receiving new regulatory approvals, and researchers are developing a deeper understanding of HS pathophysiology, genetics, and comorbidities. We take this progress seriously.

War Against HS actively monitors new research developments through the following channels:

• Regular monitoring of major dermatology journals and conference proceedings for new HS-related publications
• Tracking of FDA and EMA drug approval announcements, safety communications, and label updates relevant to HS treatment
• Review of ClinicalTrials.gov for new and updated HS study registrations and results postings
• Monitoring of AAD, EADV, and major dermatology organization communications for guideline updates
• Community feedback from readers who identify outdated or inaccurate information

When significant new evidence emerges that changes or contradicts previously published content, we update the affected pages and note the revision date. For minor updates (correcting a statistic, adding a new study reference), we may update content without a formal revision notice.

Content that has not been recently reviewed may not reflect the most current research. We display publication and revision dates on articles to help readers assess the currency of information. When in doubt, consult your healthcare provider for the most up-to-date guidance.

We believe that transparency about our sources and process is essential to responsible health communication. Readers should be able to verify the information they find on this website, not simply take our word for it.

Our transparency commitments in practice:

• Citations and references - we provide citations and references to source material wherever possible so readers can access and review the original research themselves
• Direct links to sources - where source material is publicly accessible (PubMed abstracts, FDA announcements, open-access journals), we link directly to the original document
• Acknowledging limitations - we clearly note when evidence is limited, based on small studies, or when findings have not been replicated
• Distinguishing evidence levels - we differentiate between randomized controlled trial data, observational studies, case reports, and expert opinion, as these carry different levels of evidentiary weight
• Corrections disclosure - when significant factual errors are corrected, we note the correction on the affected page
• AI-assisted content - where AI tools assist in content drafting or illustration, this is noted and all AI-assisted content is reviewed for accuracy before publication

If you would like to review the sources underlying a specific article, look for the references section at the bottom of the page or contact us to request additional source information.

Our content and research process is designed to ensure that educational content is as accurate and responsibly presented as possible. However, no review process eliminates the fundamental distinction between general educational information and the individualized medical judgment of a licensed clinician who knows your specific situation. Please use this website as a starting point for understanding HS, not as a substitute for professional medical care.