Dermoscopy Evaluation of Therapeutic Response in Alopecia Areata

The study conducted between November 2017 and April 2018 with 24 patients with alopecia areata (AA) demonstrated that dermoscopy is a valuable tool for monitoring treatment response. Yellow dots were found to be a sensitive and specific indicator of treatment response, with a significant reduction at 4 and 8 weeks, and an increase in vellus hairs at 8 weeks suggested hair regrowth. However, exclamation mark hair was not a significant indicator of treatment response within the study's timeframe. The study also noted that while yellow dots are significant in diagnosing AA, they may persist even after disease activity has ceased. The disappearance of exclamation mark and coudability hair indicates a slower response to treatment. The presence of short vellus hairs and circle hair were important indicators of therapy response, and their serial counts could assist in managing resistant cases. The study highlighted the importance of maintaining dermatoscopy records for each patient visit for medicolegal purposes and therapy adjustments, suggesting that a larger sample size and longer follow-up might yield more conclusive results.