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
”
TLDR Patients with severe alopecia areata felt better and less anxious or depressed when treated with baricitinib compared to placebo.
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.