Soluble interleukin-2 receptor serum level is a useful marker of hidradenitis suppurativa clinical staging

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a recurrent, debilitating suppurative skin disease. The major challenge is the choice of optimal treatment. Assessment of treatment effectiveness is currently associated with clinical observations of disease activity based on Hurley's or Sartorius' grading system. Detailed examination of patients with HS and evaluation of disease severity is frequently time-consuming and undoubtedly subjective. With regard to these factors, there is a need for laboratory findings that will help resolve the problem. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) serum concentration as a marker of HS clinical staging and comparative analysis with the commonly conducted laboratory measurements, including white blood cell count, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The statistical analysis of all these laboratory parameters conducted within a group of 54 individuals with HS revealed that sIL-2R serum level seems to be the most sensitive measurement for evaluation of disease stage. Moreover, the existence of strong dependences between sIL-2R serum concentration and Hurley's HS grading system were demonstrated. In conclusion, we believe that sIL-2R serum level could be used as a valuable marker for disease staging in patients with HS.