IHS4
Pronunciation: eye-aitch-ess-four
Also written as: IHS4 — International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System
The International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System, a validated numerical scoring tool that quantifies active lesion counts to produce a dynamic measure of hidradenitis suppurativa severity.
Full Definition
IHS4 (International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System) assigns weighted numerical values to the counts of nodules, abscesses, and draining fistulae to generate a composite score, with defined cut-offs for mild (<3), moderate (3–10), and severe (>10) disease. Unlike the Hurley staging system, IHS4 is dynamic — it changes with treatment response — making it the preferred end-point tool in clinical trials. Editors must ensure the acronym is rendered as 'IHS4' (not 'IHS-4' or 'ihs4') and that it is expanded on first use. Score values should be presented as integers. It appears in clinical trial protocols, regulatory submissions, and dermatology journal articles.
Usage
Usage note: No hyphen: 'IHS4' not 'IHS-4'. Expand on first use. Present score values as integers. Not interchangeable with Hurley staging.
In Context
- "The primary endpoint was a 50% reduction in IHS4 score from baseline to week 16." — Clinical trial protocol
- "The author wrote 'IHS-4'; the editor removed the hyphen to align with validated nomenclature." — Journal manuscript copyedit