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

    Lina Alhanshali, Michael Buontempo, Kristen I. Lo Sicco, Jerry Shapiro
    Image of study
    TLDR Current treatments for Alopecia Areata have mixed success, and there's a need for better, more accessible options and support for affected individuals.
    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.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    62 / 62 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Why I deleted my YouTube channel Part I

      in Update  118 upvotes 3 years ago
      A YouTuber named Kevin, also known as Rider_Of_Roach, who deleted his YouTube channel due to personal attacks and controversy surrounding his views on hair loss treatments. He advocated for FDA-approved treatments like finasteride and minoxidil but faced backlash from those who disagreed with him. The conversation also discusses his past trolling behavior and a lawsuit he filed against a website that published false information about him. Despite some disagreements, many viewers appreciated his research-based content and hope to see him return in the future.

      community Unofficial Dermapen/Roller Guide

      in Treatment  255 upvotes 6 years ago
      Treatments for hair loss, including microneedling (dermarolling and dermapen) and the use of minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841. It provides detailed information about cost and usage of the various treatments, as well as potential side effects.

      community C’est terrible - at my wits end

      in Female  445 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

      community Fuck hair loss; acquire beard.

      in Shaved/buzzed  936 upvotes 2 years ago
      A user's transformation from an accountant to a spartan with a full beard, discussing the potential of DUPA and alopecia areata, as well as treatments like vitamins, topicals, and natural treatments for potential regrowth.

    Related Research

    3 / 3 results