AUTHOR=Okeke Chidubem A. V. , Williams Jonathan P. , Iwuala Callyn U. , Igwe Pearl K. , Khanna Raveena , Perry Jessica D. , Okoye Ginette A. , Byrd Angel S. 

TITLE=What's Race Got to Do With It? CRP Levels in Immune Mediated Skin Diseases: Considerations for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.847050

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2022.847050

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Currently, there is a lack of racial/ethnic heterogeneity in research databases, exposing a systematic issue in studies exploring inflammation-mediated diseases, such as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that disrupts normal structure and functioning of terminal hair follicles, resulting in the formation of recurrent abscesses, nodules, and sinus tracts within intertriginous regions. Studies have described higher serum levels of inflammation-mediated C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with HS, a disease that predominantly affects skin of color (SOC) populations. Herein, we explore the role of CRP levels in the context of HS disease presentation, management, and psychosocial implications in SOC patients to determine existing disparities in research studies.</p>