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Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology May 2024Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also referred to as male or female pattern hair loss, is the commonest cause of chronic hair loss and affects up to 80% of men by the age of...
BACKGROUND
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also referred to as male or female pattern hair loss, is the commonest cause of chronic hair loss and affects up to 80% of men by the age of 70. Despite a high prevalence, there are few approved therapies, which show minimal efficacy.
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PrP) in the treatment of AGA in male patients.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane (CENTRAL), CINAHL, clinicaltrials.gov, Google Scholar and the Science Citation Index database were searched to identify eligible studies. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies related to PrP use in AGA were included. Primary outcomes included changes in hair density and hair count. Methodological quality was assessed using bias assessment tools.
RESULTS
Eight RCTs and one cohort study were included in the review with a total of 291 participants. Six studies reported a statistically significant increase in hair density in the PrP group versus the control. Five studies reported a statistically significant increase in hair count with PrP. Seven studies showed moderate risk and two showed low risk of bias.
CONCLUSION
In a methodologically robust review on the effectiveness of PrP on male AGA, PrP demonstrated some potential to be used therapeutically. However, the low quality of evidence, moderate risk of bias, and high heterogeneity of included studies limit inferences and call for more robust designs to investigate this further.
Topics: Humans; Male; Alopecia; Hair; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38284294
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.16185 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Cancer is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world and the second major cause of death in Portugal. Dermatological side effects resulting from... (Review)
Review
Cancer is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world and the second major cause of death in Portugal. Dermatological side effects resulting from cancer treatment have a psychosocial impact on patients' lives, such as quality of life (QoL), body image, cognitive fusion and social inhibition. This systematic review aimed to explore and synthesize the psychosocial impact of dermatological side effects of cancer treatment, answering the following research objectives: (i) Do the dermatological side effects of the cancer treatment present any psychosocial impact for the patients? (ii) How does the psychosocial impact of the dermatological toxicities of the cancer treatment manifest in patients' lives? Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed and guided a systematic search through the PubMed, Cochrane Library and PyscNet databases. The considered studies correlate dermatological side effects of cancer treatments and their psychological/psychosocial outcomes. The studies found were all published in peer-reviewed journals. The results obtained established that cancer treatment causes the most varied skin changes, consequently reducing self-esteem and QoL; disturbing body image; and contributing to cases of stress, depression and anxiety. There is still limited literature that profoundly investigates the experience of living with these skin toxicities. The development of research lines to improve knowledge in this field will allow for significant improvements in healthcare for patients undergoing cancer treatment who need to focus more on the psychosocial implications of skin toxicities. The novelty of this review lies in adding knowledge summarizing the psychosocial implications of dermatological side effects of cancer treatment to support healthcare providers in the development of integrative therapeutic strategies for these patients in their clinical practice.
PubMed: 37830658
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11192621 -
A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Medical Therapies for Lichen Planopilaris.Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 2024Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a primary chronic lymphocytic cutaneous disorder that selectively destroys the hair follicles, resulting in scarring alopecia.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is a primary chronic lymphocytic cutaneous disorder that selectively destroys the hair follicles, resulting in scarring alopecia. Unfortunately, current available treatments are not fully effective to stop hair loss, and the level of evidence for medical interventions is weak.
OBJECTIVES
The present article aimed to determine the efficacy of the different medical interventions in LPP through a network meta-analysis (NMA).
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed including randomized trials that report the outcomes of lichen planopilaris activity index (LPPAI). These articles were pooled and a NMA was conducted.
RESULTS
A total of seven studies were identified and included in meta-analysis, comprising 251 LPP patients. The NMA showed the mean difference in LLPAI was significantly superior with the combination of clobetasol plus N-acetylcysteine (mean difference: -2.0, 95% CI = -3.43 to -0.51) and the combination of clobetasol plus pentoxifylline (mean difference: -1.62, 95% CI = -3.0 to -0.25) compared to the treatment of reference (clobetasol). The NMA showed cyclosporine (mean difference: 2.05 95% CI = 0.68-3.49), methotrexate (mean difference: 1.95 95% CI = 1.23-3.17), the combination of methotrexate plus prednisolone (mean difference: 1.56 95% CI = 0.25-2.96) were significantly worse than hydroxychloroquine according to the differences in LLPAI.
CONCLUSION
This work is the first NMA in LPP and hence, it can be helpful in serving as an initial step toward better evidence-based decisions in the treatment of this challenging condition. We propose a triple-combined approach consisting of topical clobetasol, hydroxychloroquine, and N-acetylcysteine as resulted in the most effective approach. Considering the poor outcomes observed with pioglitazone, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclosporine, it is advisable to contemplate the use of these medications in patients who have not responded adequately to more efficacious alternatives.
Topics: Humans; Clobetasol; Methotrexate; Network Meta-Analysis; Acetylcysteine; Bayes Theorem; Hydroxychloroquine; Lichen Planus; Cyclosporine; Alopecia; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 37852211
DOI: 10.1159/000534364 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Dec 2023Cicatricial alopecia may lead to an enormous emotional burden, social distress, and psychological impairment affecting the quality of life. The objective of this review... (Review)
Review
Cicatricial alopecia may lead to an enormous emotional burden, social distress, and psychological impairment affecting the quality of life. The objective of this review is to systematically describe the health-related quality of life in adults with primary cicatricial alopecia and its subtypes. Studies that (i) reported quality of life in patients with primary cicatricial alopecia or its subtypes; (ii) were original research and not a conference abstract or review (iii) with patients >18 years of age were included in the review. The studies not mentioning quality of life specifically for the cicatricial alopecia cohort were excluded. We searched for literature via OVID in Medline and Embase, in Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCO (APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, and PSYNDEX Literature), in the Cochrane Library and for grey literature from its inception date till 12 November 2022. The risk of bias was assessed by using the AXIS tool for cross-sectional studies by two independent authors. Thirteen observational cross-sectional and one single-arm study, including 572 patients and eight different instruments, fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results are descriptively synthesized, and associated factors of quality of life are presented. The data from studies that used the Dermatology Life Quality Index tool (DLQI) showed that more than 70% of the patients have an impaired life quality. While trichodynia and anxiety have a negative effect on the quality of life, disease duration, education, employment, and marital status have no effect. The findings were inconsistent for other factors. Most of these studies failed to justify the sample size. Furthermore, the risk of bias assessment could not surely rule out a non-response bias. Our results suggest that cicatricial alopecia treatments must be integrated with psychosocial intervention and indicate the need for further research with homogenous and more comprehensive tools to identify and address this patient population's unmet mental health needs.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Quality of Life; Cross-Sectional Studies; Alopecia; Anxiety; Bias
PubMed: 37478298
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19381 -
BMC Urology Mar 2024The effectiveness of immunosuppressive and corticosteroid treatments for Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) remains thoroughly evaluated. We undertook a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The effectiveness of immunosuppressive and corticosteroid treatments for Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) remains thoroughly evaluated. We undertook a meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose corticosteroids plus leflunomide for progressive IgA nephropathy.
METHODS
Eligible studies were obtained from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. We also searched the references of the included studies. Our protocol followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist. Eligibility criteria were defined using a PICOS framework.
RESULTS
Our study included three articles presenting 342 patient cases. Findings revealed that low-dose corticosteroids combined with the leflunomide group were effective in relieving urine protein excretion (UPE) [mean difference (MD) = -0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.41 to -0.30, P < 0.00001] compared with the full-dose corticosteroids group. Regarding serum creatinine (SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), complete remission rate, and overall response rate, there was no difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Regarding safety, low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide significantly reduced the risk of serious adverse events [odds ratio (OR): 0.11, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.91, P = 0.04]. Besides, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidence of respiratory infection, abnormal liver function, diarrhea, herpes zoster, alopecia, pruritus, insomnia, pneumonia, diabetes, and urinary tract infection (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Low-dose corticosteroids combined with leflunomide are a safe and effective treatment for progressive IgA nephropathy.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42022361883.
Topics: Humans; Leflunomide; Glomerulonephritis, IGA; Immunosuppressive Agents; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Glomerular Filtration Rate
PubMed: 38468247
DOI: 10.1186/s12894-024-01438-3 -
Skin Appendage Disorders Oct 2023Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes non-scarring alopecia. A few studies have shown increased odds of AA in Black individuals compared to...
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes non-scarring alopecia. A few studies have shown increased odds of AA in Black individuals compared to White individuals and increased odds of AA in Latinos compared to non-Latinos. Another study showed that Asians have lower odds of AA compared to Whites. Baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi), became the first Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for adult patients with severe AA in June 2022.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review was to analyze published JAKi AA randomized controlled trials to characterize and assess the racial and ethnic representation of participants. Animal studies, studies unrelated to AA, and studies not investigating JAKis were excluded.
METHODS
PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for systematic reviews of clinical trials between 1990 and 2022.
RESULTS
Six clinical trials were included with a total of 1,690 subjects. Four trials were industry-sponsored, while two were university-sponsored. The three largest races represented included White (59.9%), Asian (28.0%), and African American/Black (8.1%). Three out of the 10 patients identified as Hispanic. None of the trials included sub-analyses of clinical efficacy based on race and/or ethnicity.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that populations with lower odds of AA (Whites and Asians) are overrepresented in JAKi AA clinical trials compared to Black and Hispanic/Latino patients.
PubMed: 37900778
DOI: 10.1159/000531219 -
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Sep 2023Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) leads to changes in body composition, secondary sex characteristics and in the distribution and pattern of hair growth....
Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) leads to changes in body composition, secondary sex characteristics and in the distribution and pattern of hair growth. Transgender individuals undergoing GAHT may experience altered hair growth patterns that may be affirming and desirable, or undesirable with a subsequent impact on their quality of life. Given increasing numbers of transgender individuals commencing GAHT worldwide and the clinical relevance of the impact of GAHT on hair growth, we systematically reviewed the existing literature on the impact of GAHT on hair changes and androgenic alopecia (AGA). The majority of studies used grading schemes or subjective measures of hair changes based on patient or investigator's examination. Very few studies used objective quantitative measures of hair parameters but demonstrated statistically significant changes in hair growth length, diameter and density. Feminizing GAHT with estradiol and/or antiandrogens in transgender women may reduce facial and body hair growth and also can improve AGA. Masculinizing GAHT with testosterone in transgender men may increase facial and body hair growth as well as induce or accelerate AGA. The impact of GAHT on hair growth may not align with a transgender person's hair growth goals and specific treatment for AGA and/or hirsutism may be sought. Further research on how GAHT affects hair growth is required.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Quality of Life; Hair; Alopecia; Transgender Persons; Testosterone
PubMed: 37311161
DOI: 10.1093/ced/llad203 -
Dermatology Practical & Conceptual Oct 2023Hair and scalp disorders are of significant interest for physicians dealing with dark phototypes due to their prevalence and potential aesthetic impact resulting from a... (Review)
Review
Hair and scalp disorders are of significant interest for physicians dealing with dark phototypes due to their prevalence and potential aesthetic impact resulting from a higher tendency for scarring. In order to facilitate their non-invasive diagnosis, several dermoscopic studies have been published, yet data are sparse and no systematic analysis of the literature has been performed so far. This systematic literature review summarizes published data on trichoscopy of hair and scalp diseases (trichoscopic findings, used setting, pathological correlation, and level of evidence of studies). A total of 60 papers addressing 19 different disorders (eight non-cicatricial alopecias, nine cicatricial alopecias, and two hair shaft disorders) were assessed, for a total of 2636 instances. They included one cross-sectional analysis, 20 case-control studies, 25 case-series, and 14 single case-reports, so the level of evidence was V and IV in 65% and 33% of cases, respectively, with only one study showing a level of evidence of III. Notably, although there is a considerable body of literature on trichoscopy of hair/scalp diseases, our review underlined that potentially significant variables (e.g., disease stage or hair texture) are often not taken into account in published analyses, with possible biases on trichoscopic patterns, especially when it comes to hair shaft changes. Further analyses considering all such issues are therefore needed.
PubMed: 37874991
DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1304S1a310S -
Cureus May 2024Patterned hair loss (PHL) is a severe hair condition that affects both sexes. Mesotherapy is a treatment that involves microinjecting medications and/or vitamins into... (Review)
Review
Patterned hair loss (PHL) is a severe hair condition that affects both sexes. Mesotherapy is a treatment that involves microinjecting medications and/or vitamins into the middle layer of the skin. Mesotherapy reduces systemic adverse effects by delivering drugs directly to the hair follicle, increasing local bioavailability while lowering systemic exposure. Local side effects and reactions may develop due to mesotherapy. This study systematically evaluated the safety and efficacy of mesotherapy to minoxidil 5%, as well as addressing its limitations, dosing, and technique, with the intent of providing valuable trials and insights for clinicians and patients considering mesotherapy for improved androgenetic alopecia (AGA) outcomes. The literature search carried out by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria yielded 11 relevant studies from an initial pool of 18 articles. These studies covered various aspects of the role of mesotherapy and minoxidil in AGA, including techniques, complications, limitations, and outcomes. In conclusion, available trials and research on mesotherapy and minoxidil demonstrated excellent statistical significance and a high patient satisfaction rate, with the exception of two publications that took into account certain uncommon adverse effects of mesotherapy. However, recent research suggests that a mesotherapy method for alopecia with a low risk of side effects is effective.
PubMed: 38841017
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59705 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024The clinical selection of three CDK4/6 inhibitors presents a challenging issue, owing to the absence of distinct clinical case characteristics, biomarkers, and their...
The clinical selection of three CDK4/6 inhibitors presents a challenging issue, owing to the absence of distinct clinical case characteristics, biomarkers, and their comparable clinical benefits in progression-free survival and overall survival To inform clinical treatment decisions, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the adverse events associated with CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy for hazard ratio+/HER2-breast cancer. We searched Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception until 1 August 2022. The results were summarized narratively, and we assessed the methodological quality, reporting quality, and evidence quality of AEs by AMSTAR-2, PRISMA, and GRADE. Our analysis included 24 meta-analyses systematic reviews that evaluated the quality of AEs in 13 cases of early breast cancer (EBC) and 158 cases of advanced breast cancer The addition of CDK4/6 inhibitors was found to significantly increase AEs of any grade and AEs of grade 3 or higher in early breast cancer, along with a significant increase in the risk of treatment discontinuation. In advanced breast cancer, high and moderate-quality evidence indicated that CDK4/6 inhibitors significantly increased AEs across all grades, including grade 3/4 AEs, leucopenia, grade 3/4 leucopenia, neutropenia, grade 3/4 neutropenia, anemia, grade 3/4 anemia, nausea, grade 3/4 constipation, fatigue, pyrexia, venous thromboembolism abdominal pain, and cough. However, they did not significantly elevate the incidence of grade 3/4 diarrhea. Subgroup analysis revealed that palbociclib primarily increased hematologic toxicity, particularly grade 3/4 neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Ribociclib was mainly associated with grade 3/4 neutropenia, prolonged QT interval, and alopecia. Abemaciclib was closely linked with diarrhea and elevated blood creatinine levels. The AEs associated with CDK4/6 inhibitors vary, necessitating individualized and precise clinical selection for optimal management. This approach should be based on the patient's medical history and the distinct characteristics of different CDK4/6 inhibitors to improve the patient's quality of life. : [https://systematicreview.gov/], identifier [CRD42022350167].
PubMed: 38288438
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1269922