Alopecia Areata: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study of 104 Patients

April 2019 in “ JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ”

Anna Lyakhovitsky, Anna Aronovich, Shlomo Gilboa, Sharon Baum, Aviv Barzilai

alopecia areata AA hair regrowth systemic steroids relapse disease-free interval steroids

TLDR Older age at onset of alopecia areata leads to less severe and shorter episodes, with most patients experiencing significant hair regrowth.

This study followed 104 patients with alopecia areata (AA) over at least 7 years to evaluate its long-term course. It found that the severity of AA and the duration of the initial episode decreased with older age at onset. Full or significant hair regrowth was observed in 74% of childhood-onset, 94% of adult-onset, and 100% of late-onset patients. Relapses were common, especially within the first 4 years, but their frequency declined over time. Systemic steroids were the most effective treatment for the initial episode, but treatment did not influence long-term outcomes. The disease-free interval and relapse rate were not correlated with gender, disease severity at onset, or treatment given.

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