Comparison of Efficacy of Baricitinib Versus Methotrexate Therapy in the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata
April 2025
Studysummary This study found that oral baricitinib was more effective than methotrexate in treating severe alopecia areata, with significant improvements in SALT scores over six months.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of baricitinib and methotrexate in treating severe alopecia areata in 84 patients. Patients were divided into two groups, with group A receiving baricitinib and group B receiving methotrexate. Over 6 months, group A showed significantly greater improvement in the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores compared to group B. At month 6, 57.1% of patients in group A achieved a complete response (SALT90), while none in group B did. The study concludes that baricitinib is superior to methotrexate for treating severe alopecia areata, suggesting it as an excellent choice for patients with extensive disease, though further research is needed to evaluate long-term efficacy.
