Facial and Extrafacial Lesions in an Ethnically Diverse Series of 91 Patients with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Followed at a Single Center

November 2018 in “ Dermatology ”

Joshua S. Mervis, Luis J. Borda, Mariya Miteva

frontal fibrosing alopecia FFA facial papules Hispanic/Latino premenopausal ethnic susceptibility severe FFA extrafacial lesions systemic nature Lichen Planopilaris LPP body hair loss

Studysummary The authors concluded that Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, facial papules, and premenopausal status in patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia may indicate a susceptibility to more severe disease, potentially necessitating early treatment.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The retrospective study analyzed 91 patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA), revealing that facial papules were the most common lesion, especially among Hispanic/Latino patients and premenopausal women, suggesting a link to more severe disease. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity was significantly associated with facial papules and premenopausal status, indicating a potential ethnic susceptibility to severe FFA. Extrafacial lesions were more prevalent in those with facial lesions, supporting the systemic nature of FFA. Additionally, 25% of patients had concomitant Lichen Planopilaris (LPP), and 37% experienced body hair loss. The study highlighted the need for further research to understand the implications of facial and extrafacial lesions in FFA.

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