Hidradenitis Suppurativa Study

If you suffer from Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), you may be able to participate in ground-breaking research at UCSF and get paid for your time. You are invited to participate in exciting research being done at UCSF to understand what causes HS. Results from these studies may help identify new treatments for HS.

What is the goal of the study?

The goal of this study is to understand how changes in the bacteria living on the skin and in the gut (also known as the human microbiome) may be related to HS flares. Results from these studies may help identify new treatment options for HS.

Am I eligible to participate?

You may be eligible to join the study if you:

• Are at least 13 years old
• Have been diagnosed with HS by a doctor
• Have HS affecting at least 2 areas of your body
• Do not have other skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema
• Can travel to UCSF in San Francisco, California

What will happen during my visit?

Skin microbiome studies: You will be asked to come to UCSF every 6 weeks for 4 total research visits. Before each visit, you will be asked to avoid using some skin products and complete a questionnaire. During your 1-hour study visit at UCSF, you will meet with our team and provide written consent to participate. We will then collect the bacteria that naturally live on your skin by rubbing a cotton swab (like a q-tip) on various parts of your body. This will not be painful. You will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire. Get directions to the clinic.

Gut microbiome studies: Before your appointment, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire about your HS and your diet. We will give you a kit to collect a stool specimen. After you collect the specimen, you will bring or mail it back to us in a pre-paid envelope.

Will I be paid for participating?

Yes, you can receive up to $50 each time you donate a specimen, and up to $200 total for successfully completing the study.

How can I join the study or find out more?

Please fill out the form and we will contact you to tell you more about HS research at UCSF, or call us at 415-502-7582 to learn more.

Are there other HS research studies I can participate in?

Yes! There are lots of opportunities to participate in HS research and help understand what causes HS and how it affects people’s lives. If you are interested in learning more about HS studies being conducted at UCSF, or want to be notified about future studies, please fill out the form and we will contact you.

Can I send this information to someone I know with HS?

Yes! You can send this link directly or share on:

Who is leading the study?

The study is led by Dr. Haley Naik, an HS expert at UCSF. Her research focuses on understanding what causes HS and finding and testing treatments for this condition. Dr. Naik is committed to taking care of HS patients. She has established the first dedicated Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinic in the western United States. Dr. Naik completed medical school and dermatology residency at Harvard. She then went on to complete a prestigious clinical research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is a board-certified dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Naik is also on the Board of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation.