Improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Alopecia Areata Randomized to Baricitinib or Placebo: Results from Two International Randomized Controlled Trials

November 2023 in “ JEADV Clinical Practice ”

Bianca Maria Piraccini, Manabu Ohyama, Brittany G. Craiglow, Anthony Bewley, Yuxin Ding, Yun‐Fei Chen, Yves Dutronc, Evangeline Pierce, Frédérick Durand, Arash Mostaghimi

alopecia areata baricitinib placebo Skindex-16 AA Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale HADS

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Baricitinib →

JAK inhibitor that reduces inflammation and immune attacks on hair follicles, leading to potential hair regrowth, especially in alopecia areata cases

Studysummary In this study, adults with severe alopecia areata experienced greater improvements in hair regrowth, health-related quality of life, and reduced anxiety and depression symptoms after 36 weeks of treatment with baricitinib compared to placebo. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document reports on two international randomized controlled trials involving 1200 patients with severe alopecia areata (AA). The patients were divided into groups receiving either a placebo, 2mg of baricitinib, or 4mg of baricitinib for 36 weeks. The results showed that patients receiving baricitinib experienced significant improvements in their health-related quality of life, as well as reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, as measured by the Skindex-16 AA and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The greatest improvements were seen in the functioning and emotions domains. Despite some limitations, the study suggests that baricitinib treatment is associated with improved quality of life among patients with severe AA.

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Research cited in this study

5 / 5 results

research The Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Scoping Review Focusing on Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Work Productivity

10 citations , January 2023 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This review highlights the significant negative impact of alopecia areata on quality of life, mental health, and work, calling for individualized approaches and effective treatments to mitigate these effects.

research Baricitinib in Alopecia Areata

16 citations , May 2022 in “New England Journal of Medicine”

This Italian study observed that one third of patients with 25 to 50% scalp hair loss from alopecia areata still experienced active patchy disease at long-term follow-up, and another third progressed to more severe forms like alopecia totalis or universalis, with limited recovery.

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

148 citations , March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In two phase 3 trials, this study found that oral baricitinib significantly improved hair regrowth compared to placebo in adults with severe alopecia areata after 36 weeks, though longer trials are needed to ascertain its long-term efficacy and safety.

research The Associated Burden of Mental Health Conditions in Alopecia Areata: A Population-Based Study in UK Primary Care

20 citations , February 2022 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that people with alopecia areata have higher rates of depression and anxiety, leading to increased mental health treatment burden, more time off work, and higher unemployment compared to the general population.

research Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

95 citations , July 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review concluded that patients with alopecia areata consistently show poor health-related quality of life scores, similar to those in other chronic skin diseases like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.