Diffuse Variants of Scalp Lichen Planopilaris: Clinical, Trichoscopic, and Histopathologic Features of 40 Patients

November 2019 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Michela Starace, Gloria Orlando, Aurora Alessandrini, Carlotta Baraldi, Francesca Bruni, Bianca Maria Piraccini

lichen planopilaris diffuse hair thinning fibrosing alopecia cicatricial pattern hair loss scalp erythema

TLDR A new variant of lichen planopilaris causing diffuse hair thinning was identified.

The study reviewed the clinical, trichoscopic, and histopathologic features of 40 patients with diffuse hair thinning linked to lichen planopilaris (LPP). Among these, 18 patients were diagnosed with fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution, and 2 with cicatricial pattern hair loss. A new variant, termed "lichen planopilaris diffuse pattern," was identified in 20 individuals. The study highlighted the importance of considering diffuse variants of LPP in patients with long-standing scalp erythema, itching, and hair thinning. The study was limited by the low number of cases due to the rarity of these conditions.

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Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Case Series of 65 Patients Seen in a Single Italian Centre

23 citations, November 2018 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

The study concluded that severity of Frontal fibrosing alopecia is not linked to how long someone has it, can start before menopause, and eyebrow loss may be an early sign.

research Medical Comorbidities in Patients with Lichen Planopilaris: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

19 citations, April 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

People with Lichen Planopilaris are more likely to have autoimmune diseases, especially Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and less likely to have diabetes and some other common conditions.

research Clinical Study of Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution in a Latin American Population

13 citations, January 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

The study found that treatment improved hair condition in patients with Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution in Chile.

research Diffuse Scarring Alopecia in a Female Pattern Hair Loss Distribution

5 citations, February 2017 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

Scarring hair loss found in female pattern; biopsy needed for diagnosis.

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Most patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia are postmenopausal women, and treatments like finasteride and dutasteride can improve or stabilize the condition.

research Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution

16 citations, February 2010 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution is a unique hair loss condition that may respond to antiandrogen therapy.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss and Its Relationship to Permanent/Cicatricial Alopecia: A New Perspective

73 citations, November 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Some women with common hair loss may develop permanent hair loss.

research Postmenopausal Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

57 citations, January 2003 in “Clinical and experimental dermatology”

Postmenopausal frontal fibrosing alopecia is a type of hair loss in postmenopausal women that may stop on its own but has no effective treatment.

research Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution

158 citations, February 2000 in “Archives of dermatology”

Some people with pattern hair loss may also have scalp inflammation and scarring similar to lichen planopilaris.

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6 / 49 results

community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

nkrata in Research 830 upvotes 6 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community scarring alopecia awareness in this community

capo4ever88 in Chat 33 upvotes 2 years ago

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP), a form of permanent hair loss, which can be mistaken for seborrheic dermatitis and is characterized by scalp itching, burning, redness, and dandruff. Treatment options discussed include steroidal creams, finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841.

community DUPA/Retrograde might not be DHT based...GET A BIOPSY QUICK or permanent Hair Loss!

noeyys in Research/Science 34 upvotes 3 days ago

DUPA and retrograde alopecia may not be solely DHT-based, and a biopsy is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Treatments mentioned include dutasteride, oral minoxidil, pioglitazone, clobetasol, calcipotriol, ketoconazole, and doxycycline, depending on the specific condition.

community One year of progress (Fin, 1mg)

m00tzman in Is this regrowth? 281 upvotes 1 month ago

The user started finasteride (1mg) a year ago for hair thinning, experiencing stabilization but not significant regrowth. Suggestions included adding minoxidil, microneedling, and considering a hair transplant for improved results.

community DUPA VS. FAPD, which is more treatable? Which is worse?

slo-mo-hoe in Research/Science 8 upvotes 2 months ago

DUPA is considered more treatable than FAPD, as FAPD involves scarring that prevents hair regrowth. The user has started treatment with oral dutasteride and minoxidil, hoping for better results than previous treatments.

community Fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution

WhichButterscotch456 in Research/Science 14 upvotes 10 months ago

A user has been experiencing hair loss for 4 years, with treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and various supplements proving ineffective. They were diagnosed with fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution, a condition that may require a combination of anti-inflammatory and hair growth treatments.

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Most patients who had scalp skin removed for burns as children had normal hair growth and were satisfied years later.

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