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

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Baricitinib →

JAK inhibitor that reduces inflammation and immune attacks on hair follicles, leading to potential hair regrowth, especially in alopecia areata cases

Studysummary This study reviewed the burden of alopecia areata in the UAE, noting limited regional data on patient demographics and treatments but highlighting the approval and promising results of the Janus kinase inhibitor baricitinib for managing this condition.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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

26 / 26 results

research Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase 3/Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Ritlecitinib Over 24 Months: Integrated Analysis of the ALLEGRO Phase IIb/III and Long-Term Phase III Clinical Studies in Alopecia Areata

23 citations , October 2024 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

In this study, ritlecitinib showed sustained effectiveness and a favorable safety profile in treating alopecia areata in patients aged 12 and older over 24 months, with improvements observed in hair and eyebrow regrowth and patient satisfaction.

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”

This study found that baricitinib, when administered consistently over three years, maintained its efficacy in patients with severe alopecia areata who responded by Week 52 with notable hair regrowth, indicated by a SALT score of ≤20.

research Efficacy and Safety of Deuruxolitinib, an Oral Selective Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in Adults with Alopecia Areata: Results from the Phase 3 Randomized, Controlled Trial (THRIVE-AA1)

63 citations , July 2024 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that the oral JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor deuruxolitinib effectively promoted hair regrowth and patient satisfaction in adults with alopecia areata over 24 weeks.

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”

This study analyzed data from 2083 patients with alopecia areata in Europe and found that those with atopic, autoimmune, or psychiatric comorbidities encountered more severe disease and were more likely to require advanced treatments compared to those without comorbid conditions.

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”

In this study, baricitinib for severe alopecia areata showed sustained efficacy over 104 weeks, with most Week-52 responders maintaining significant hair regrowth and some mixed responders improving further with long-term treatment.

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”

This consensus statement outlines a treatment algorithm for alopecia areata, detailing systemic treatment indications and options, including EMA-approved medications baricitinib and ritlecitinib for severe cases, as well as other off-label treatments and adjuvant therapies like oral minoxidil.

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”

This study conducted in Europe found that both physicians and patients generally agreed on the severity of alopecia areata, with higher physician-rated severity linked to increased patient-reported burdens such as anxiety, depression, and work impairment.

research Effectiveness and Safety of Baricitinib in Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata: A 36-Week Multicenter Real-World Experience

21 citations , October 2023 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

The abstract provides a brief mention of alopecia areata (AA) being a chronic immune-mediated disorder causing non-scarring hair loss, but specific study results or findings relating to this are not reported.

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”

In this study, researchers identified subgroups of patients with severe alopecia areata treated with baricitinib who experienced early, gradual, or late hair regrowth, finding that response was influenced by baseline disease severity and duration of hair loss.

research Ritlecitinib: First Approval

84 citations , August 2023 in “Drugs”

This article describes the development milestones and recent approvals of ritlecitinib for treating severe alopecia areata, with approvals in the USA and Japan and ongoing regulatory reviews in other regions.

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”

This study reported that alopecia areata imposes a significant personal and national economic burden in Japan, with estimated total costs of 112.7 billion yen due largely 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”

This study found that most dermatologists in the Middle East manage mild to severe alopecia areata primarily with potent topical corticosteroids and identified long-term disease control and improved efficacy as key unmet needs.

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

June 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

This literature review highlights challenges in managing alopecia areata in the Middle East and Africa, noting significant regional gaps in data, treatment guidelines, and public awareness that impede patient care and emphasize the need for improved support and resources.

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”

This study found that patients with alopecia areata had a higher prevalence of autoimmune, inflammatory, and mental health conditions compared to a matched cohort without alopecia areata.

research Baricitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

6 citations , May 2023 in “Drugs”

This study reports that baricitinib was more effective than placebo in promoting hair growth in adults with severe alopecia areata after 36 weeks of treatment in clinical trials.

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

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

In this study, 40.9% of patients taking 4 mg baricitinib and 21.2% taking 2 mg achieved significant hair regrowth over 52 weeks, indicating potential long-term benefits for adults with severe alopecia areata without introducing new safety concerns.

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”

This review highlights the significant negative impact of alopecia areata on quality of life, mental health, and work, calling for individualized approaches and effective treatments to mitigate these effects.

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”

In this analysis, safety data from two clinical trials showed that baricitinib for severe alopecia areata had predictable side effects like infections and elevated CPK, with some serious adverse events noted at low incidence rates; no deaths were reported.

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

40 citations , August 2022 in “Frontiers in immunology”

This review discusses the potential of JAK inhibitors as a promising treatment strategy for alopecia areata, highlighting their mechanism and recent FDA approval based on clinical trial efficacy.

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

11 citations , July 2022 in “Frontiers in immunology”

This study reports that the global age-standardized incidence and disability-adjusted life-year rates of alopecia areata decreased from 1990 to 2019, with the highest increases in incidence seen in some low SDI regions and countries like Kuwait and South Sudan.

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

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

In two phase 3 trials, this study found that oral baricitinib significantly improved hair regrowth compared to placebo in adults with severe alopecia areata after 36 weeks, though longer trials are needed to ascertain its long-term efficacy and safety.

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”

This study found that people with alopecia areata have higher rates of depression and anxiety, leading to increased mental health treatment burden, more time off work, and higher unemployment compared to the general population.

research Response of Alopecia Areata of the Beard to Oral Tofacitinib

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

This study suggests that oral tofacitinib may be an effective treatment for beard regrowth in men with alopecia areata of the beard, with a strong correlation observed between beard and scalp hair regrowth.

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

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

This review discusses the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment options for alopecia areata of the beard and reports no new clinical results.

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

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

This study found that JAK inhibitors promote hair regrowth in both mice and human alopecia areata cases by blocking key immune pathways involved in disease development.

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”

This study found that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide was most effective for hair regrowth in localized alopecia areata, with betamethasone valerate foam also being beneficial, while tacrolimus ointment showed no significant effect.