Lack of Response of Alopecia Areata to Pimecrolimus Cream

In a pilot clinical trial conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical pimecrolimus 1% cream in treating alopecia areata (AA), 15 patients with AA affecting 10-25% of the scalp were enrolled. They applied pimecrolimus cream to one lesion and a placebo to another lesion twice daily for 24 weeks. Of the 15 patients, 12 completed the study. The results showed that nine patients responded equally to both pimecrolimus and placebo, two showed slightly better results with pimecrolimus, and one with placebo. Statistical analysis using the chi-squared test confirmed that there was no significant difference in response between the two treatments. The study concluded that topical pimecrolimus 1% cream is not an effective treatment for AA, especially in patients who have not responded to other treatments.