Alopecia Areata After Denosumab Treatment for Osteoporosis

July 2016 in “ JAAD case reports ”

Anna Lyakhovitsky, Shlomit Oshinsky, Shlomo Gilboa, Aviv Barzilai

alopecia areata denosumab osteoporosis alopecia universalis autoimmune reactions hair follicle cycling topical betamethasone minoxidil biologic medications AA Rogaine

TLDR Denosumab treatment for osteoporosis can cause hair loss.

A 69-year-old man developed extensive alopecia areata (AA) after receiving denosumab for osteoporosis. Despite no personal or family history of AA, the patient experienced rapid hair loss two weeks post-treatment, progressing to alopecia universalis within two months. The case suggested a potential link between denosumab and AA, possibly due to autoimmune reactions or impacts on hair follicle cycling. Treatment with topical betamethasone and minoxidil resulted in minimal hair regrowth after 10 months. This case highlighted the need for awareness of autoimmune side effects in patients treated with biologic medications like denosumab.

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Research cited in this study

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research Receptor Activator of NF-κB Stimulates the Proliferation of Epithelial Cells of the Epidermo-Pilosebaceous Unit

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