Alopecia in the United States: Outpatient Utilization and Common Prescribing Patterns

    July 2007 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”
    Amy Mcmichael, Daniel J. Pearce, Dan Wasserman, Fabian Camacho, Alan B. Fleischer, Steven R. Feldman, Rajesh Balkrishnan
    From the encyclopedia
    Alopecia Areata →

    autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

    Betamethasone Dipropionate →
    Minoxidil →

    An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

    Studysummary This letter discusses the psychological impact of alopecia areata, highlighting its association with increased depression and anxiety, but reports no new clinical findings.
    Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
    The study analyzed data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) from 1990-2000 to understand the epidemiology and treatment patterns of alopecia areata (AA) in the United States. It found that AA accounted for 25% of all alopecia-related visits, with 88% of these visits being to dermatologists. The highest number of visits were from patients aged 30-59, challenging the notion that AA primarily affects children and adolescents. Triamcinolone preparations were the most frequently used treatment, followed by augmented betamethasone dipropionate and minoxidil. The study highlighted the need for more comprehensive, prospective surveys to better inform research and treatment strategies for AA.
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