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Dermatologic Therapy Nov 2022Extensive subtypes of alopecia areata (AA) (totalis, universalis, or multifocal) still have no approved and effective treatments in Europe, although Janus kinase...
Extensive subtypes of alopecia areata (AA) (totalis, universalis, or multifocal) still have no approved and effective treatments in Europe, although Janus kinase inhibitors, such as baricitinib, are promising treatments that have been recently approved by the FDA. Nowadays, the higher costs and the lower experience with Janus kinase inhibitors, provide more difficulties in its accessibility. On the other hand, different corticosteroids regimens have been evaluated with conflicting results from decades. In 2016, a new regimen of mini pulse corticosteroid therapy with oral dexamethasone (MPCT-OD) 0.1mg/kg/day twice per week for adult patients with alopecia areata totalis or universalis, was reported to be effective with a lower rate of adverse effects. We performed a retrospective and multicentric study to collect data from patients with extensive forms of alopecia areata who had received MPCTOD (0.1 mg/kg/day twice weekly of dexamethasone) for at least 24 weeks. We included adult patients (≥18 years) with extensive forms of AA (SALT index ≥ 10) that did not respond to previous treatments. Variables including epidemiological and clinical data were recorded. Therapeutic response was assessed through the % change in SALT score (from 0 to 100%) and the changes in eyebrow and eyelash alopecia index (EBA, ELA) from baseline to 24 weeks after the beginning of the treatment. Dexamethasone dosage, duration of the treatment, time until response, time to relapse, adverse effects, and discontinuation were also recorded.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Alopecia Areata; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; Retrospective Studies; Dexamethasone; Alopecia; Treatment Outcome; Adrenal Cortex Hormones
PubMed: 36070222
DOI: 10.1111/dth.15806 -
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Dec 2018Alopecia areata (AA) is a skin disease of unclear etiology. In AA, topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is considered the most effective treatment;...
INTRODUCTION
Alopecia areata (AA) is a skin disease of unclear etiology. In AA, topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is considered the most effective treatment; however, the most common therapies give unsatisfactory results.
AIM
To assess the efficacy of a topical application of a solution of DPCP based on the intensity, duration and number of exacerbations of AA and to compare the efficacy of two treatment regimens.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this prospective study, 39 patients with AA were enrolled. Group A was treated at weekly intervals and group B at 3-week intervals. Hair loss was assessed by independent dermatologists and documented by photography and dermoscopy.
RESULTS
After 6 months' therapy, hair regrowth greater than 50% was observed in 21 patients, while worsening, no regrowth, or regrowth of less than 50% was seen in 18 patients. Regrowth exceeding 50% of initial loss was observed in 12 of 17 patients with baseline hair loss < 50%, in 9 of 22 patients with severe alopecia, and in 4 of 9 patients with alopecia totalis. Both groups showed significant improvement with higher efficacy in group B (54%) than group A (46%).
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment at longer intervals may be safer and more comfortable for patients; however, further research is required.
PubMed: 30618524
DOI: 10.5114/ada.2018.77608 -
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2023Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease resulting in non-scarring hair loss. Alopecia areata can progress to become alopecia totalis (loss of hair from the entire...
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease resulting in non-scarring hair loss. Alopecia areata can progress to become alopecia totalis (loss of hair from the entire scalp) or alopecia universalis (loss of hair form the entire body), with the progression estimated to range from 7% to 30%. There are no universally proven therapies that both induce and sustain remission, and furthermore, the course of alopecia areata tends to be unpredictable, with ~80% of patients achieving spontaneous remission within 1 year. We herein present the case of a 61-year-old female who presented with a 20-year history of alopecia universalis, and biopsy confirmed widespread granuloma annulare. Hydroxychloroquine was initiated to treat her granuloma annulare, with subsequent significant hair regrowth on her scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and arms. A review of the literature is presented showing that hydroxychloroquine has variable success in treatment of alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis.
PubMed: 36744055
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X231152066 -
PloS One 2021Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune skin disease caused by chronic inflammation of hair follicles. Chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and lupus...
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune skin disease caused by chronic inflammation of hair follicles. Chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis and lupus erythematosus can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between AA and heart diseases (HDs) remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective cohort study to evaluate the risk of subsequent HDs in patients with AA. We reviewed 3770 cases of AA and from 18,850 age, sex, and income level-matched controls from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. In the subgroup analysis, patients who suffered from alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis, and ophiasis were designated as patients with severe AA and patients having the disease for over a year were designated as patients with long-standing AA. As a result, we found that AA was not associated with a higher risk of heart failure, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction. There was no significant increase in the risk of overall HD associated with AA (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.17; 95% confidence interval: 0.93-1.48; p = 0.177). Neither the severity nor the duration of AA was related to an increased risk of HDs. During the study period, AA patients did not show a significantly higher cumulative incidence of HDs than controls (log-rank p = 0.157). In conclusion, AA does not increase the risk of HD.
Topics: Adult; Alopecia Areata; Cohort Studies; Female; Heart Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 33961663
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250216 -
Postgraduate Medical Journal Mar 1991Three cases of severe and irreversible alopecia occurring in patients with common variable immunodeficiency are described. In all three cases, hair loss developed after...
Three cases of severe and irreversible alopecia occurring in patients with common variable immunodeficiency are described. In all three cases, hair loss developed after the diagnosis of immune deficiency; one of the patients also had extensive vitiligo. A fourth patient had vitiligo in the absence of alopecia. No change in the alopecia or vitiligo was noted in any patient as a result of immunoglobulin replacement therapy.
Topics: Adult; Alopecia; Humans; Immunization, Passive; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Male; Middle Aged; Vitiligo
PubMed: 2062780
DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.67.785.291 -
JAMA Dermatology Oct 2018Contact immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone or squaric acid dibutyl ester is a preferred treatment for severe alopecia areata; however, the defined criteria for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Contact immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone or squaric acid dibutyl ester is a preferred treatment for severe alopecia areata; however, the defined criteria for therapeutic hair regrowth and regrowth rate have been highly heterogeneous across studies.
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the clinical outcomes of contact immunotherapy for alopecia areata according to standardized criteria for therapeutic hair regrowth and several prognostic factors.
DATA SOURCE
A database search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library was performed for articles published before November 20, 2017, using the search terms areata, totalis, universalis, sensitizer, sensitization, immunotherapy, DPCP, diphenylcyclopropenone, diphencyprone, SADBE, and squaric.
STUDY SELECTION
Clinical trials or observational studies that investigated contact immunotherapy for alopecia areata and subgrouped the disease into patchy alopecia or alopecia totalis/universalis and reported their hair regrowth rates were included, whereas studies that investigated combination therapy or nonconventional protocol and case series or reviews were excluded.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
The following data were extracted from each of the studies included in this meta-analysis: study year and setting, sensitizer type, study population, study population composition by disease subtype, defined criteria for therapeutic hair regrowth, and regrowth rate of contact immunotherapy. The incidence of adverse effects and recurrence rate were also recorded. A random effects model was used for data synthesis because of the expected high heterogeneity of the included studies.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The main outcome was therapeutic hair regrowth rate according to the 4-grade criteria for therapeutic regrowth. Secondary outcomes included incidence of treatment-related adverse effects and recurrence rate.
RESULTS
Forty-five studies comprising 2227 patients were analyzed. The overall rate of any hair regrowth was 65.5% among patients with alopecia areata (74.6% in the patchy alopecia and 54.5% in the alopecia totalis/universalis subgroups). However, the complete regrowth rate was 32.3% (24.9% in the patchy alopecia and 32.3% in the alopecia totalis/universalis subgroups). Disease extent of 50% or greater (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% CI, 2.26-4.12), atopic history (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.03-2.50), and nail involvement (OR, 2.06; 95% CI. 1.26-3.36) were associated with poorer therapeutic outcome. Recurrence rates were 38.3% among patients receiving maintenance treatment and 49.0% among those not receiving maintenance treatment.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Various factors were associated with the clinical outcomes of contact immunotherapy for alopecia areata, with significant differences in hair regrowth rates according to the level of expected therapeutic regrowth. Quantitative summarization may improve patient education and lead to better therapeutic adherence and outcomes.
Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Alopecia; Alopecia Areata; Cyclobutanes; Cyclopropanes; Hair; Humans; Immunotherapy; Recurrence
PubMed: 30073292
DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.2312 -
Open Access Macedonian Journal of... Jan 2019Treatment of severe alopecia areata remains very difficult, especially in alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis. Methotrexate is known to be effective...
BACKGROUND
Treatment of severe alopecia areata remains very difficult, especially in alopecia areata totalis and alopecia areata universalis. Methotrexate is known to be effective in the treatment of severe and chronic autoimmune disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness and safety of MTX in combination with mini pulse dose of methylprednisolone in the treatment of severe alopecia areata.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
The open, uncontrolled study compared pre-treatment and after-treatment. Thirty-eight patients (age 16-64) with severity AA (SALT score > 50 %) visiting National hospital of Dermatology and Venereology from April-2004 to September-2015 were enrolled. All patients received oral methylprednisolone 24mg/day for 3 consecutive days of a week in combination with oral MTX 7,5 mg weekly. This regimen is maintained up to 12 weeks and follow-up until to 6 months.
RESULTS
After 6 months, 60.5% of patients show complete hair growth (good response) and 18.4% shows the medium response. There is a significant SALT score reduction: mean baseline SALT score 84.39 ± 17.03 compared to mean post-treatment SALT score 24.19 ± 29.42. Good clinical improvement noted in after 3 months. We do not observe any side- effects related to oral MTX and oral methylprednisolone, and no patients had to withdrawal treatment due to side- effects.
CONCLUSION
Combination Methotrexate and mini pulse dose of methylprednisolone are effective and safe in treatment severity alopecia areata.
PubMed: 30745958
DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.004 -
Skin Appendage Disorders Aug 2019Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease causing hair loss in 2% of the population. Anecdotally, hair specialists report that patches localize to the scalp...
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease causing hair loss in 2% of the population. Anecdotally, hair specialists report that patches localize to the scalp periphery. Changes in sensory innervation and/or scalp vasculature may play a role in the development and localization of alopecic patches.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the most common locations of initial alopecic scalp patches.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective chart review, with comprehensive evaluation of clinical photographs, was conducted from July 2016 to June 2018 to include AA patients ( = 112). Clinical data was collected on gender, age, race, time until presentation at the clinic, and areas of hair loss on initial presentation.
RESULTS
The most common areas of initial AA patches in both females and males were the occiput (49 vs. 48.5%), parietal (46.9 vs. 21.2%), vertex (26.5 vs. 18.2%), and frontal (24.5 vs. 18.2%) regions; 26.8% of patients present with either alopecia totalis or universalis.
LIMITATIONS
This is a single-center study with underrepresentation of minority races.
CONCLUSION
AA patches most commonly present on the occiput of the scalp in both female and male patients. Cervical spine nerves C3 and C2 supply sensory innervation and the occipital artery supplies blood to this area.
PubMed: 31559251
DOI: 10.1159/000497392 -
JAAD Case Reports Oct 2019
PubMed: 31681829
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.07.005 -
The British Journal of Dermatology Jan 2020Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease, causing patchy hair loss that can progress to involve the entire scalp (totalis) or body (universalis). CD8 NKG2D T...
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease, causing patchy hair loss that can progress to involve the entire scalp (totalis) or body (universalis). CD8 NKG2D T cells dominate hair follicle pathogenesis, but the specific mechanisms driving hair loss are not fully understood.
OBJECTIVES
To provide a detailed insight into the systemic cytokine signature associated with AA, and to assess the association between cytokines and depression.
METHODS
We conducted multiplex analysis of plasma cytokines from patients with AA, patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and healthy controls. We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess the occurrence of depression and anxiety in our cohort.
RESULTS
Our analysis identified a systemic inflammatory signature associated with AA, characterized by elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-17F, IL-21 and IL-23 indicative of a type 17 immune response. Circulating levels of the type 2 cytokines IL-33, IL-31 and IL-17E (IL-25) were also significantly increased in AA. In comparison with PsA, AA was associated with higher levels of IL-17F, IL-17E and IL-23. We hypothesized that circulating inflammatory cytokines may contribute to wider comorbidities associated with AA. Our assessment of psychiatric comorbidity in AA using HADS scores showed that 18% and 51% of people with AA experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Using linear regression modelling, we identified that levels of IL-22 and IL-17E are positively and significantly associated with depression.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data highlight changes in both type 17 and type 2 cytokines among people with AA, suggesting that complex systemic cytokine profiles may contribute both to the pathogenesis of AA and to the associated depression. What's already known about this topic? NKG2D CD8 T cells cause hair loss in alopecia areata (AA) but the immunological mechanisms underlying the disease are not fully understood. AA is associated with changes in levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-1β and type 17 cytokines. Psychiatric comorbidity is common among people with AA. What does this study add? People with AA have increased plasma levels of the type 2 cytokines IL-33, IL-31 and IL-17E (IL-25), in addition to the type 17 cytokines IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23 and IL-17F. Levels of IL-17E and IL-22 positively predict depression score. What is the translational message? AA is associated with increased levels of multiple inflammatory cytokines, implicating both type 17- and type 2 immune pathways. Our data indicate that therapeutic strategies for treating AA may need to address the underlying type 17- and type 2 immune dysregulation, rather than focusing narrowly on the CD8 T-cell response. An immunological mechanism might contribute directly to the depression observed in people with AA.
Topics: Alopecia Areata; Autoimmune Diseases; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Cytokines; Humans; Morbidity
PubMed: 30980732
DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18008