Identifying Barriers and Disparities in the Healthcare of Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Using Claims Data and Qualitative Interview Data

May 2025 in “ BMJ Open ”

Toni Maria Janke, Beke Hester, Katharina Müller, Christine Blome, Theresa Klinger, Brigitte Stephan, Matthias Augustin, Kristina Hagenström

alopecia areata systemic drugs drug prescriptions healthcare disparities reimbursement treatment options AA

Studysummary This study identified significant patient frustration with limited access to treatments for alopecia areata in Germany, exacerbated by the absence of health insurance reimbursement for necessary medications.

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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 Epidemiology of Alopecia Areata and Population-Wide Comorbidities in Germany: Analysis of Longitudinal Claims Data

1 citations , October 2023 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This study found that, in Germany between 2016 and 2020, alopecia areata had an annual prevalence of 210 cases per 100,000 and an incidence of 72 cases per 100,000, with higher rates in specific regions and associated with comorbidities like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

research Safety of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

3 citations , May 2023 in “Clinical drug investigation”

This study reviewed the safety of JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata, finding that common side effects included headache and acne, with varying risks for respiratory infections and no increased risk of serious adverse events.

research Alopecia Areata: Burden of Disease, Approach to Treatment, and Current Unmet Needs

1 citations , March 2023 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This review discusses recent advances in understanding and treating alopecia areata, emphasizing the ongoing challenges and unmet needs in disease management; it reports no new clinical findings.

research Systematic Review of Psychological Interventions for Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Hair Growth in Alopecia Areata and Scarring Alopecia

29 citations , January 2023 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine”

This review discusses psychological treatments for alopecia, finding limited but positive effects on mental health, quality of life, and possibly hair growth; however, more research is needed to establish intervention efficacy.

research Out-Of-Pocket Costs In Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Study In German-Speaking Countries

1 citations , January 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

This study found that individuals with alopecia areata in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland face significant out-of-pocket costs averaging 1,248€ annually, primarily for hair replacement products and cosmetics.

research Alopecia Areata: Current Understanding and Management

11 citations , January 2022 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft”

This review discusses current and emerging therapies for alopecia areata, highlights the challenges in managing this chronic disease, and emphasizes the importance of addressing its psychosocial impacts; it reports no new clinical results.

Alopecia Areata Treatment Patterns, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Comorbidities in the US Population Using Insurance Claims

research Alopecia Areata Treatment Patterns, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Comorbidities in the US Population Using Insurance Claims

23 citations , July 2021 in “Advances in Therapy”

This study observed that patients with alopecia areata often have comorbidities and experience significant healthcare costs, with treatments like systemic therapies being infrequently used.

research The Epidemiology of Alopecia Areata: A Population-Based Cohort Study in UK Primary Care

117 citations , July 2021 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study reports that the incidence of alopecia areata is 0.26 per 1000 person-years in the UK, with higher rates among Asian ethnic groups, socially deprived populations, and urban residents.

research Patient Perspectives of the Social, Emotional and Functional Impact of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Literature Review

67 citations , March 2021 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

This review discusses the substantial impact of alopecia areata on patients' health-related quality of life, highlighting issues such as personality changes, emotional and social difficulties, and a common occurrence of alexithymia, and emphasizes the need for more specific assessment tools.

research Alopecia Areata: Treatment Options and Efficacy

182 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews current and emerging treatments for alopecia areata, including Janus kinase inhibitors, highlighting variability in clinical outcomes and the lack of sustained remission.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical evaluation, and pathogenesis of alopecia areata and highlights recent advancements, but it does not report new clinical findings.

research Alopecia Areata Update

244 citations , January 2010 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses treatment options for alopecia areata and suggests tailored treatment plans, noting the challenges posed by spontaneous remission and limited high-quality clinical trials.