Using Artificial Intelligence to Analyze Publicly Available Social Media Posts to Understand Patient Perspectives Toward Specific Treatments of Alopecia Areata

The study analyzed 102,444 social media posts to understand patient perspectives on alopecia areata (AA) treatments using artificial intelligence. Treatments included minoxidil, dexamethasone, prednisone, triamcinolone, biotin, essential oils, JAK inhibitors, and wigs/hairpieces. Most treatments, except dexamethasone, had over 75% positive Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scores, indicating perceived improvement. However, many posts with positive PGIC scores also had negative underlying emotions, especially for minoxidil, JAK inhibitors, and prednisone. The study highlights the importance of considering patient-reported outcomes and emotional responses in treatment plans to improve patient satisfaction and care. Limitations include potential biases from self-identified patients and the variability of "essential oils" ingredients.