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2026, Vol: 10, Issue: 9
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Review Article
Online Published: 02 Sep 2026
 


The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Rifal Alhumaid, Luluh Alali, Mohammed Alali, Areen Almatham, Nouf Alkhalifah, Lama Alhrbi, Taif Alsayid, Shoug Naser Soudan Alenezi, Abdullah Alajaji.


Abstract
While adalimumab is effective in hidradenitis suppurativa, resistance and decreased response over time have spurred investigations into other biologics. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics (secukinumab, bimekizumab, MABp1, infliximab, anakinra, and spesolimab), using hidradenitis suppurativa clinical response (HiSCR) as the primary outcome. This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. The literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar, using predefined keywords. The included studies were assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies and Cochrane Rob2 tools for high risk of bias. From 549 records, 10 studies with 2,600 patients were included. Adalimumab improved symptoms and quality of life, especially with weekly use. Meta-analysis demonstrated that biologic therapies significantly improved HiSCR response compared to placebo (RR 1.73, 95% CI 1.21-2.49; p-value = 0.003), although substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 78%). Secukinumab showed higher response rates than placebo. Bimekizumab reduced lesions by up to 90% at week 12. Infliximab reduced lesions by half but caused transient polyarthritis. Side effects were mainly mild to moderate across treatments. Adalimumab was found to be currently the most extensively studied therapy, but emerging biologics such as secukinumab, bimekizumab, and infliximab demonstrated potential efficacy, particularly in biologic-naive patients. Current evidence supported the use of these agents in selected cases; however, further high-quality trials are needed to establish their comparative long-term safety and efficacy.

Key words: Systematic review, meta-analysis, hidradenitis suppurativa, acne inversa, skin disease, biologic therapies, adalimumab


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alhumaid R, Alali L, Alali M, Almatham A, Alkhalifah N, Alhrbi L, Alsayid T, Alenezi SNS, Alajaji A. The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. 2026; 10(9): 2795-2802. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371

Web Style

Alhumaid R, Alali L, Alali M, Almatham A, Alkhalifah N, Alhrbi L, Alsayid T, Alenezi SNS, Alajaji A. The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=321509 [Access: September 19, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alhumaid R, Alali L, Alali M, Almatham A, Alkhalifah N, Alhrbi L, Alsayid T, Alenezi SNS, Alajaji A. The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. 2026; 10(9): 2795-2802. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alhumaid R, Alali L, Alali M, Almatham A, Alkhalifah N, Alhrbi L, Alsayid T, Alenezi SNS, Alajaji A. The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC. (2026), [cited September 19, 2026]; 10(9): 2795-2802. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371


Harvard Style

Alhumaid, R., Alali, . L., Alali, . M., Almatham, . A., Alkhalifah, . N., Alhrbi, . L., Alsayid, . T., Alenezi, . S. N. S. & Alajaji, . A. (2026) The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. IJMDC, 10 (9), 2795-2802. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371


Turabian Style

Alhumaid, Rifal, Luluh Alali, Mohammed Alali, Areen Almatham, Nouf Alkhalifah, Lama Alhrbi, Taif Alsayid, Shoug Naser Soudan Alenezi, and Abdullah Alajaji. 2026. The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (9), 2795-2802. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371


Chicago Style

Alhumaid, Rifal, Luluh Alali, Mohammed Alali, Areen Almatham, Nouf Alkhalifah, Lama Alhrbi, Taif Alsayid, Shoug Naser Soudan Alenezi, and Abdullah Alajaji. "The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 2795-2802. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alhumaid, Rifal, Luluh Alali, Mohammed Alali, Areen Almatham, Nouf Alkhalifah, Lama Alhrbi, Taif Alsayid, Shoug Naser Soudan Alenezi, and Abdullah Alajaji. "The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.9 (2026), 2795-2802. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alhumaid, R., Alali, . L., Alali, . M., Almatham, . A., Alkhalifah, . N., Alhrbi, . L., Alsayid, . T., Alenezi, . S. N. S. & Alajaji, . A. (2026) The efficacy and safety of adalimumab compared to other biologics for hidradenitis suppurativa: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (9), 2795-2802. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779199371




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