How many stages are there in the Hurley clinical staging system for hidradenitis suppurativa?

The Hurley clinical staging system for hidradenitis suppurativa categorizes the condition into three distinct stages, which helps guide treatment options and manage patient expectations.

In the first stage, patients may experience solitary or multiple abscesses in the axillary, groin, or perineal areas but with no scarring or sinus tracts. The second stage features recurrent abscess formation, and in this stage, the presence of sinus tracts and scarring becomes evident. The third stage indicates a more advanced form of the disease, where there are widespread lesions and significant scarring, with interconnected sinus tracts.

Understanding these stages is crucial for evaluating the severity of hidradenitis suppurativa and selecting appropriate therapeutic interventions. Each stage reflects the progression of the disease and highlights the potential for complications, which assists healthcare providers in tailoring the management plan to the individual's specific needs.