Hurley Staging
A three-stage classification system (I–III) used to grade the clinical severity of hidradenitis suppurativa based on lesion type and scarring.
Full Definition
Hurley staging is the most widely used severity grading tool for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), dividing disease into three stages: Stage I (abscess formation without sinus tracts or scarring), Stage II (recurrent abscesses with sinus tract formation and scarring, widely separated lesions), and Stage III (diffuse or broad involvement with interconnected sinus tracts and abscesses across the entire area). Named after dermatologist H.J. Hurley, the system is used to guide treatment decisions and clinical trial eligibility. Editors should write stages as Roman numerals (I, II, III) and capitalise 'Hurley' as an eponym and 'Stage' when followed by the numeral.
Usage
Usage note: Use Roman numerals for stages (I, II, III). Capitalise 'Hurley' as an eponym throughout.
In Context
- "Biologic therapy is typically reserved for patients with Hurley Stage III disease." — Treatment algorithm
- "On Hurley staging, the patient was classified as Stage II based on the presence of two distinct sinus tracts." — Dermatology outpatient letter