A Description of Alopecia Areata in European Patients Based on Real-World Survey Data: Physician-Reported Characterization of Severity and Associated Treatment Utilization

This study analyzed data from a survey of 239 dermatologists who reported on 2,083 patients with alopecia areata (AA) in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The severity of AA was primarily assessed based on scalp hair loss, and treatment goals varied accordingly. For mild and moderate AA, topical and intralesional corticosteroids were the most common treatments, while severe AA saw increased use of conventional immunosuppressants, oral Janus kinase inhibitors, and topical immunotherapy. Wig use was highest among patients with severe AA. The main reasons for changing treatments included worsening condition, lack of initial efficacy, and loss of response. The study highlights the need for more effective therapies, particularly for severe AA, and shows consistent treatment patterns across the surveyed countries.