The Burden of Alopecia Areata and Management with Baricitinib in the United Arab Emirates: A Narrative Review

September 2025 in “ Dermatology and Therapy ”

H.A. Dayem, Anwar Al Hammadi, Ashraf Reda, Fatima Albreiki, Ayman Al Naeem, Ahmed Ameen, Mohamed Ahmed, Huda Rajab Ali, Mohamed Elrayes, Gozde Senay, Muna Al Murrawi

alopecia areata autoimmune disease non-scarring hair loss psychological distress economic burden steroids immunosuppressants Janus kinase inhibitors baricitinib JAK inhibitors

TLDR Baricitinib is a promising treatment for alopecia areata in the UAE, but there are challenges with data and access.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing non-scarring hair loss, leading to psychological distress and economic burden. While steroids and immunosuppressants are common treatments, Janus kinase inhibitors like baricitinib show promising results in managing the condition. In the UAE, there is limited data on the prevalence and treatment of alopecia areata, and challenges include a lack of approved therapies and access to treatment. This review discusses the burden of the disease in the UAE, highlights data gaps, and evaluates baricitinib, the first approved Janus kinase inhibitor for alopecia areata in the region, offering expert insights on managing severe cases.

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Research cited in this study

22 / 22 results

research Long-Term Efficacy of Baricitinib in Alopecia Areata: 3-Year Results from BRAVE-AA1 and BRAVE-AA2

September 2024 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Baricitinib maintains significant hair regrowth in severe alopecia areata over three years.

Characteristics and Management of Patients with Alopecia Areata and Selected Comorbid Conditions: Results from a Survey in Five European Countries

research Characteristics and Management of Patients with Alopecia Areata and Selected Comorbid Conditions: Results from a Survey in Five European Countries

March 2024 in “Dermatology and therapy”

AA patients with comorbid conditions face more severe hair loss and need specific treatments.

research Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Baricitinib in Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata: 104-Week Results From BRAVE-AA1 and BRAVE-AA2

February 2024 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Baricitinib is effective and safe for long-term use in severe alopecia areata, improving hair regrowth and quality of life with few side effects.

research European Expert Consensus Statement on the Systemic Treatment of Alopecia Areata

4 citations , January 2024 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Baricitinib and ritlecitinib are recommended for severe alopecia areata, with other treatments available off-label.

Physician and Patient-Reported Severity and Quality of Life Impact of Alopecia Areata: Results from a Real-World Survey in Five European Countries

research Physician and Patient-Reported Severity and Quality of Life Impact of Alopecia Areata: Results from a Real-World Survey in Five European Countries

2 citations , October 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Alopecia areata severely impacts quality of life, causing anxiety, depression, and work impairment.

Expecting Scalp Hair Regrowth During Severe Alopecia Areata Treatment with Baricitinib: Insights from Patient Trajectories in Phase III Trials

research Expecting Scalp Hair Regrowth During Severe Alopecia Areata Treatment with Baricitinib: Insights from Patient Trajectories in Phase III Trials

September 2023 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair regrowth from severe alopecia areata treatment with baricitinib can vary, with faster results in those with shorter hair loss duration.

research Economic Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Study of Direct and Indirect Cost in Japan Using Real-World Data

2 citations , July 2023 in “Journal of dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes a significant economic burden in Japan, mainly due to productivity loss.

research Treatment Patterns and Unmet Needs in the Management of Alopecia Areata: Results of a Physician’s Survey in the Middle East

June 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Doctors in the Middle East need better treatments and more knowledge about new therapies for hair loss condition Alopecia Areata.

research Review on Alopecia Areata in the Middle East and Africa: Landscape and Unmet Needs

June 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

The Middle East and Africa need better data, treatment consensus, and support for Alopecia Areata.

Prevalence of Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases and Mental Health Conditions Among an Alopecia Areata Cohort from a US Administrative Claims Database

research Prevalence of Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases and Mental Health Conditions Among an Alopecia Areata Cohort from a US Administrative Claims Database

1 citations , June 2023 in “Journal of Dermatology”

People with Alopecia Areata are more likely to have autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

research Baricitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

6 citations , May 2023 in “Drugs”

Baricitinib helps regrow hair in adults with severe alopecia better than a placebo and is approved for treatment, but long-term effects are still unknown.

research Efficacy and Safety of Baricitinib in Patients with Severe Alopecia Areata Over 52 Weeks in Phase III Trials

20 citations , March 2023 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Baricitinib improved severe hair loss in adults over 52 weeks and was safe to use.

research The Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Scoping Review Focusing on Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Work Productivity

10 citations , January 2023 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Alopecia areata greatly affects people's life quality, mental health, and work life.

research Integrated Safety Analysis of Baricitinib in Adults With Severe Alopecia Areata From Two Randomized Clinical Trials

25 citations , November 2022 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Baricitinib for severe alopecia areata is generally safe, with common side effects like infections and acne, and low rates of serious complications.

research An Overview of JAK/STAT Pathways and JAK Inhibition in Alopecia Areata

40 citations , August 2022 in “Frontiers in immunology”

Blocking JAK/STAT pathways can help treat hair loss from alopecia areata.

research Epidemiological Trends in Alopecia Areata at the Global, Regional, and National Levels

11 citations , July 2022 in “Frontiers in immunology”

Cases of alopecia areata and its impact on life quality rose globally, but when adjusted for age, the rates decreased, especially in poorer regions.

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

148 citations , March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Baricitinib was effective in treating alopecia areata in two major trials.

research The Associated Burden of Mental Health Conditions in Alopecia Areata: A Population-Based Study in UK Primary Care

20 citations , February 2022 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata have a higher risk of depression and anxiety, and often face unemployment and work absences.

research Response of Alopecia Areata of the Beard to Oral Tofacitinib

11 citations , November 2019 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral tofacitinib is a promising treatment for beard hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Alopecia Areata of the Beard: A Review of the Literature

16 citations , May 2017 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

The document concludes that more research is needed to understand and treat Beard Alopecia Areata due to limited current knowledge and evidence.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

Randomized Comparison of Topical Betamethasone Valerate Foam, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Tacrolimus Ointment in Management of Localized Alopecia Areata

research Randomized Comparison of Topical Betamethasone Valerate Foam, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide, and Tacrolimus Ointment in Management of Localized Alopecia Areata

48 citations , January 2011 in “International journal of trichology”

Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is the most effective treatment for localized alopecia areata.

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