Extensive Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter Review of 132 Patients

In the multicenter retrospective study titled "Extensive alopecia areata: A multicenter review of 132 patients," researchers analyzed the characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with alopecia areata totalis (AAT) and alopecia areata universalis (AAU), which are severe forms of alopecia areata (AA). The study included 132 patients, with 80 diagnosed with AAU and 52 with AAT. The median age at onset was 26 years, with two frequency peaks at 7 and 33 years. The median time to progression to extensive AA was 1 year. Treatment responses varied, with 23% of patients showing no response, 54% having a partial response, and 23% achieving a complete response. The median duration of response was 5 months. Factors associated with a poor prognosis included the development of AAU, a family history of AA, and an initial presentation as multifocal AA. The study concluded that extensive AA can affect individuals of any age, treatment outcomes are often short-lived, and certain factors are associated with worse prognosis.