Familial Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Cross-Sectional Study of 20 Cases from Nine Families

November 2018 in “ Australasian Journal of Dermatology ”

María Librada Porriño-Bustamante, Miguel A. López-Nevot, José Aneiros-Fernández, E. García-Lora, María Antonia Fernández-Pugnaire, Salvador Arias-Santiago

frontal fibrosing alopecia FFA dermoscopy perifollicular erythema hyperkeratosis eyebrow alopecia androgenetic alopecia

Studysummary This study adds evidence suggesting a genetic component to frontal fibrosing alopecia, with daughters experiencing an earlier onset than their mothers, although the clinical pattern remains similar to non-familial cases. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

In a cross-sectional study from the University Hospital in Granada, Spain, involving 20 patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) from nine families, researchers found that familial FFA presents with clinical and dermoscopic features similar to non-familial cases. The majority of the patients were women with a mean age of 61.4 years, and 90% of the cases were women. Daughters affected by FFA showed an earlier onset and shorter recession area compared to their mothers, suggesting a potential genetic component to the disease. The study also observed that 70% of the patients had body hair affected and all had eyebrow alopecia. Dermoscopic signs such as perifollicular erythema and hyperkeratosis were common, and dermoscopy proved useful for early diagnosis. The presence of androgenetic alopecia was low, at 10%. The findings indicate the need for further research to understand the genetic susceptibility of FFA.

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research Familial Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Treated With Dutasteride, Minoxidil, and Artificial Hair Transplantation

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research Isolated Eyebrow Loss in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Relevance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

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research Case Series of Familial Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and a Review of the Literature

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This study reports that familial frontal fibrosing alopecia was diagnosed earlier in premenopausal women compared to postmenopausal women, though long-term outcomes remain uncertain without a definitive treatment.

research Trichoscopic Features of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Results in 249 Patients

46 citations , January 2015 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study suggests that trichoscopic features, such as perifollicular erythema and cicatricial white patches, are independently associated with pruritus and the severity of frontal fibrosing alopecia.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Lichen Planopilaris in HLA-Identical Mother and Daughter

12 citations , January 2015 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This case report describes a 67-year-old woman with frontal fibrosing alopecia and her daughter with lichen planopilaris, noting identical HLA D types which suggest a phenotypical link between these conditions.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Retrospective Clinical Review of 62 Patients with Treatment Outcome and Long-Term Follow-Up

102 citations , April 2014 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that early intervention and treatment with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide may stabilize hairline recession in patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia, although further research is needed for definitive treatment guidelines.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Multicenter Review of 355 Patients

339 citations , February 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that eyelash loss, facial papules, and body hair involvement were linked to severe frontal fibrosing alopecia, and antiandrogens were the most effective treatment.

research Discoid Lupus Alopecia Complicated by Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia on a Background of Androgenetic Alopecia

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Woman has discoid lupus, frontal fibrosing, and androgenetic alopecia.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Retrospective Review of 19 Patients Seen at Duke University

98 citations , January 2013 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reported that while various treatments for frontal fibrosing alopecia showed limited effectiveness, dutasteride most effectively stabilized the condition among patients at Duke University.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Review of 60 Cases

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This study reviewed clinical data from 60 patients with frontal fibrosing alopecia and found increasing prevalence and generally poor response to treatment, with the cause remaining unclear.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Clinical Presentations and Prognosis

155 citations , September 2008 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This study observed that frontal fibrosing alopecia predominantly affects postmenopausal women, can be associated with lichen planus, and may lead to progressive hairline recession, though this progression is not consistent in all cases.

research Postmenopausal Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

325 citations , June 1994 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This study observed that progressive frontal recession in postmenopausal women may exhibit features of fibrosing alopecia, suggesting a distinct reaction pattern from typical lichen planopilaris.