-
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... May 2024TTo investigate the level of interleukin-6 in alopecia areata patients.
OBJECTIVE
TTo investigate the level of interleukin-6 in alopecia areata patients.
METHODS
The exploratory study was conducted from September to December 2021 at the Sindh Institute of Skin Disease, Karachi, and comprised alopecia areata patients regardless of age and gender in group A, while healthy controls matched for age and gender formed group B. Alopecia areata classification and severity were done using the Severity of Alopecia Tool. Serum interleukin-6 was measured using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay. Data was analysed using R statistical software v4.2.1.
RESULTS
Of the 100 subjects, 50(50%) with mean age 15.52±10.14 years were cases in group A; 26(52%) females with mean age 16.78±10.77 years, and 24(48%) males with mean age 16.44±10.3 years. The remaining 50(50%) were controls in group B. Interleukin-6 concentration was significantly higher in group A (p<0.05). The concentration was not significantly different between the genders (p>0.05). The concentration was the highest in patients aged 11-20 years, followed by 21-30 years, 31-40 years and 1-10 years.
CONCLUSION
The concentration of circulatory pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 was significantly higher in alopecia areata patients than in the healthy controls.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia Areata; Interleukin-6; Male; Female; Adolescent; Adult; Young Adult; Child; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Severity of Illness Index; Pakistan; Infant
PubMed: 38783442
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.10284 -
Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular... May 2024Atherosclerotic burden increases the risk of both extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis (ICS) and intracranial large artery disease (ICAD). However, the...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Atherosclerotic burden increases the risk of both extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis (ICS) and intracranial large artery disease (ICAD). However, the differences in risk profiles have not been thoroughly investigated.
METHODS
Participants were recruited from the Nagahama study cohort in Japan. Individuals over 60 years old who underwent 1.5-T head and neck magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) between July 2013 and February 2017 were included. ICAD was defined as WASID ≥ 50 %, and ICS was defined as NSCET ≥ 30 %. The prevalence and association of risk factors, including proatherogenic and proinflammatory factors, and the p.R4810K variant in the RNF213 gene, were investigated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS
A total of 3089 individuals participated in the study, with a mean age of 68.1 ± 5.3 years, and 36.0 % were males. Among them, 52 (1.7 %) had ICS, 119 (3.8 %) had ICAD, and 15 (0.49 %) had both conditions. Alopecia areata was an independent predictor for both ICS (Odds ratio [OR] 3.5; 95 % CI 1.3-8.3) and ICAD (OR 2.1; 95 % CI 1.0-3.9). Diabetes (OR 3.7; 95 % CI 2.0-7.0) and older age (OR 2.4; 95 % CI 1.2-4.5) were associated only with ICS, while the RNF213 variant was associated with only ICAD (OR 5.7; 95 % CI 1.6-16.0). ICS and ICAD were also independently associated with each other.
CONCLUSIONS
In this MRA-based large scale study, alopecia areata, known as a systemic inflammatory disease, was shown to be a common risk factor for ICS and ICAD. While conventional atherosclerotic factors were associated with ICS, non-atherosclerotic factors appear to contribute to ICAD in Japan.
PubMed: 38777218
DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2024.107782 -
JAAD International Sep 2024
PubMed: 38774345
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdin.2024.03.024 -
Amino Acids May 2024In the initial stages of Alopecia Areata (AA), the predominance of hair breakage or exclamation mark hairs serves as vital indicators of disease activity. These signs... (Review)
Review
In the initial stages of Alopecia Areata (AA), the predominance of hair breakage or exclamation mark hairs serves as vital indicators of disease activity. These signs are non-invasive and are commonly employed in dermatoscopic examinations. Despite their clinical salience, the underlying etiology precipitating this hair breakage remains largely uncharted territory. Our exhaustive review of the existing literature points to a pivotal role for cysteine-a key amino acid central to hair growth-in these mechanisms. This review will probe and deliberate upon the implications of aberrant cysteine metabolism in the pathogenesis of AA. It will examine the potential intersections of cysteine metabolism with autophagy, ferroptosis, immunity, and psychiatric manifestations associated with AA. Such exploration could illuminate new facets of the disease's pathophysiology, potentially paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Alopecia Areata; Humans; Cysteine; Homeostasis; Hair; Autophagy; Ferroptosis; Animals
PubMed: 38772922
DOI: 10.1007/s00726-024-03395-5 -
International Journal of Trichology 2023A 39-year-old male presented with the complaint of sudden onset and progressive whitening of the scalp hair. The patient documented the situation by regularly taking...
A 39-year-old male presented with the complaint of sudden onset and progressive whitening of the scalp hair. The patient documented the situation by regularly taking selfies starting from the moment he noticed that his hair was starting to turn white. A diagnosis of alopecia areata involving pigmented hair was made with clinical, dermoscopic, histopathological, and immunofluorescence findings. Total regrowth of the pigmented hair was observed at 6 months follow-up without any systemic treatment.
PubMed: 38765728
DOI: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_6_22 -
International Journal of Trichology 2023Alopecia totalis (AT) and Alopecia universalis (AU) are forms of Alopecia areata (AA) which represent the strongest predictor of poor prognosis since spontaneous...
INTRODUCTION
Alopecia totalis (AT) and Alopecia universalis (AU) are forms of Alopecia areata (AA) which represent the strongest predictor of poor prognosis since spontaneous regrowth is <10%. Topical immunotherapy agent, diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) has shown clinical efficacy with limited side effects in severe forms of AA. However, its specific role in AT/AU characterized by complete hair loss over the scalp can help highlight the efficacy of the drug with fewer confounders.
METHODOLOGY
Data were collected from 18 patients diagnosed with AT/AU and treated with topical immunotherapy with DPCP as per protocol by Happle . Baseline Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score and subclass was recorded. In the case of AU, baseline body hair loss score was also recorded. Patients were reassessed after 6 months of treatment in terms of change in SALT score and hair regrowth was assessed using the Global Assessment Score. The side effects during treatment were also assessed and recorded.
RESULTS
Eighteen patients of whom eleven (61.1%) were diagnosed as AU and seven (38.9%) as AT were treated. The mean age was 21.6, with a male: female ratio of 3:2. The comorbidities noted were atopy in six (33.3%), atopy and hypothyroidism in one (5.5%), Down's syndrome in two (11.1%), and hypothyroidism alone in one (5.5%) patient. The mean duration of disease at the time of presentation was 3 years and all patients had remained refractory to various other modalities of treatment. All patients had a baseline SALT score of 100 corresponding to S5. After 6 months of treatment, 27.7% of patients did not show any response (SALT score S5), 16.6% had a score of S4, 11.1% had a score of S3, 11.1% had a score of S2, 22.2% had a score of S1, and 11.1% had a score of S0. On assessing improvement in body hair loss score, 36.3% of patients showed no improvement, 36.3% showed partial improvement, and 27.2% of patients showed complete body hair regrowth. About 55.5% of patients developed notable side effects that included severe local reactions, cervical lymphadenopathy, acne and pigmentation at the site of application as well as untreated sites.
CONCLUSION
The AT/AU subtypes of AA, was amenable to treatment with contact immunotherapeutic agent DPCP with a >75% hair regrowth in 33.3% of patients. The castling phenomenon was seen in 63.6% of AU patients. The adverse effects noted were not severe enough to deter treatment.
PubMed: 38765726
DOI: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_2_22 -
Clinical and Experimental Vaccine... Apr 2024Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune-related disorder characterized by non-scarring hair loss in children. We report the case of a child who had AA after the fifth dose...
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune-related disorder characterized by non-scarring hair loss in children. We report the case of a child who had AA after the fifth dose of rabies vaccine and summarized various potential mechanisms of vaccination induced AA. This case indicates that rabies vaccine might be a predisposition of AA by causing immune dysregulation.
PubMed: 38752007
DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2024.13.2.171 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024This study aims to update the understanding of Alopecia Areata (AA) in Poland, Czechia, Russia, and Türkiye, focusing on the disease burden, clinical management, and...
Disease burden, clinical management and unmet treatment need of patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata; consensus statements, insights, and practices from CERTAAE (Central/Eastern EU, Russia, Türkiye AA experts) Delphi panel.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to update the understanding of Alopecia Areata (AA) in Poland, Czechia, Russia, and Türkiye, focusing on the disease burden, clinical management, and patient journey. It seeks to establish a consensus on optimal management strategies for AA in these regions.
METHODS
A modified 2-round Delphi panel was conveyed with 23 Dermatologists (Russia; 4, Türkiye; 7, Poland; 6, and Czechia; 6). The Delphi questionnaire consisted of 61 statements and 43 questions designed to obtain an overall understanding of the perception and acceptance of available information regarding the care of patients with alopecia areata.
RESULTS
The study revealed that moderate-to-severe AA significantly impacts patients' and their families' QoL, consistent with previous studies. AA was found to cause more substantial impairment when additional lesions appeared in visible areas besides the scalp. Work and productivity impairment were notably higher in adults with moderate-to-severe AA. Diagnostic consensus highlighted the importance of skin biopsies and trichoscopy, while the need for more practical severity scoring systems was emphasized. Current treatments, including topical therapies, corticosteroids, and systemic immune modifiers, were deemed insufficient, highlighting the unmet medical need.
CONCLUSION
The Delphi study underscores a significant disease burden and unmet medical needs in patients with moderate-to-severe AA. It highlights the necessity of access to novel treatments and further research to develop more effective therapies with a tolerable safety profile. The findings align with global research, emphasizing the psychosocial impact of AA and the need for standardized, effective treatment protocols.
PubMed: 38741770
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1353354 -
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic... 2024There are many instruments to prick the comedone before its extraction and scalp during hair transplantation. These instruments are not well guarded, and it can cause...
There are many instruments to prick the comedone before its extraction and scalp during hair transplantation. These instruments are not well guarded, and it can cause deep injury and fear in the patients. Here we described how to guard these needle for safety during procedure.
PubMed: 38736867
DOI: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_62_21 -
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic... 2024Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring alopecia of chronic autoimmune etiology with heterogenous severity against the anagen hair follicle over the scalp, beard, or any...
INTRODUCTION
Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring alopecia of chronic autoimmune etiology with heterogenous severity against the anagen hair follicle over the scalp, beard, or any part of the body and is associated with a significant psychological morbidity in the mental status of the patients leading the patients to seek treatment for cosmetic reasons. The management of AA is very unpredictable and is associated with various cosmetic adverse effects. This study aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety of a novel procedure of laser-assisted drug delivery system of steroids with the first-line procedure of intralesional steroids (ILS) for the treatment of patchy AA.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of fractional CO laser in combination with topical triamcinolone acetonide aqueous solution and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide as a monotherapy and in the treatment of AA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 60 patchy AA patients were included in this study. Patients were randomized into two equal groups: Group A and Group B with 30 patients in each group using a computer-generated block randomization. Patients in Group A received fractional CO laser with topical triamcinolone acetonide aqueous solution and Group B received ILS. Both groups received treatment for five settings with each setting a gap of 3 weeks. The efficacy and safety of treatment modalities in both groups were assessed using global photograph assessment (GPA)-scale, lesional area density score percentage of improvement (LAD score improvement %), visual discomfort scale (VDS), visual analogue scale, and documentation of adverse effects in each setting.
RESULTS
Efficacy of treatment modality-assessed using means score of GPA-scale and LAD score improvement % suggests quicker results to patients in Group B in initial settings but drastic improvement happens to patients in Group A in subsequent settings. At the end of 5th setting, GPA-scale and LAD score improvement % suggest maximum efficacy in patients in Group A and they are statistically significant (-value < 0.001). The mean VDS in both groups suggests maximum discomfort in Group A, yet the patient satisfaction at the end of 5th setting was maximum with patients in Group A and they are statistically significant (-value < 0.001). Cosmetic notable adverse effect of atrophy of skin was documented in 30% of patients in Group B.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that fractional CO laser with topical triamcinolone acetonide is a better treatment modality than the intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of AA with respect to efficacy, safety, and adverse events.
PubMed: 38736853
DOI: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_31_23