The long-term efficacy and safety of adalimumab (40 mg s.c. on alternate weeks) was assessed in 6 patients aged 22-56 years with severe hydradenitis suppurativa. If the disease was inadequately controlled, the dose was increased to 40 mg adalimumab/week. Patients were followed up for a mean of 21.5 months (range 13-29 months). Quality of life was measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scale. At baseline the mean DLQI score was 23.7, and at 1 month and 1 year it fell to 7.0 and 5.6, respectively (P = 0.03 vs. baseline for both time points). The white blood cell count was not significantly reduced; however, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate ...