Summary Background Clinical response in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is most commonly assessed using the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) measure. Dermal tunnels, increased body mass index, smoking and antibiotic use significantly decrease the odds of achieving HiSCR. However, there are few data exploring if clinical features are also associated with length of time to achieve clinical response and/or time to lose clinical response. Aim To explore whether variables associated with achievement of HiSCR are associated with time to achieve HiSCR and time to loss of HiSCR in patients with HS treated with adalimumab 40 mg weekly in the PIONEER open‐label extension study. Methods Time‐to‐event analyses were performed to estimate time to achieve HiSCR and time to loss of HiSCR. The log rank test was used to compare cumulative incidence curves for a priori patient‐ and disease‐associated factors. Cox regression analysis was performed to compare time‐to‐event outcomes in the presence of a priori variables. All statistical analyses were completed with R software (V3.5.3). Results Presence of dermal tunnels significantly increased the time to achieve HiSCR (median 32.6 vs. 14.3 weeks, P = 0.02) and the hazard ratio (HR) was significant after controlling for patient and disease factors (HR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.51–0.96, P = 0.03). A positive family history of HS significantly decreased the time to loss of HiSCR (median 11.4 vs. 18 weeks, P < 0.001) and remained significant in Cox regression analysis (HR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.40–2.88, P < 0.001). Conclusion The presence of dermal tunnels significantly influences the odds of achieving HiSCR and the time to achieve HiSCR, while family history influences time to loss of HiSCR.