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News
A common concern among dermatologists gets a reassuring answer. A new meta-analysis in JAMA Dermatology found that IL-17 inhibitors used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) did not meaningfully increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease — even though HS patients already carry a higher baseline IBD risk. Across 10 randomized trials with over 2,500 patients, only six developed new-onset IBD.
Dermatologists can breathe a little easier about a long-standing concern. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Dermatology found that IL-17 inhibitors — including secukinumab (Cosentyx) and bimekizumab (Bimzelx) — did not add to the already-elevated IBD risk seen in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). The findings offer meaningful reassurance for clinicians weighing the benefits and risks of these widely used biologics.
Researchers analyzed data from 10 randomized clinical trials, 11 cohort studies, and 3 case series involving over 3,000 HS patients on IL-17 inhibitor therapy. While IBD cases were slightly more common in nonrandomized studies, events remained rare across the board. Most new IBD cases appeared within the first 6 months of treatment.
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Why it matters: HS patients already face a heightened IBD risk, making treatment decisions tricky. These findings support the continued use of IL-17 inhibitors in HS patients without active IBD — though guidelines still recommend a thorough GI history before starting therapy and ongoing monitoring for GI symptoms.
