Alopecia Areata: Burden of Disease, Approach to Treatment, and Current Unmet Needs

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss disorder affecting 2.1% of the population, caused by an autoimmune attack on the hair follicle. The disease can spontaneously resolve but often follows a relapsing-remitting course. Treatments include topical steroids, intralesional steroids, topical immunotherapies, Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, and systemic corticosteroids, with varying success rates. Topical 0.1% betamethasone valerate foam applied twice daily for 12 weeks achieved 75% hair regrowth in mild-to-moderate AA. JAK inhibitors, such as baricitinib and tofacitinib, may be effective but have potential side effects like malignancy, cardiovascular events, and gastrointestinal effects. AA significantly impacts patients' quality of life, causing increased depression, anxiety, and social functioning impairments. The document emphasizes the need for better therapeutics, improved access to treatments, and public support for people suffering from AA.