Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia: Retrospective Chart Review

The retrospective chart review study examined 69 patients with Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA), finding that the condition primarily affected adult women of African descent, with a mean age at onset of 38.2 years and presentation at 42.4 years. The study revealed that all patients with available hair care data had used traumatic hair care practices, and 56% of subjects with available data had a positive family history of hair loss. The most common concurrent diagnosis was seborrheic dermatitis. The study highlighted the need for earlier detection and diagnosis of CCCA, as patients often presented years after onset. It suggested that CCCA is likely multifactorial, involving hair care practices, genetic predisposition, and structural factors specific to black hair. However, the study was limited by its retrospective design and potential selection bias, and it called for further research to clarify the associations with CCCA.