Large Doses of Glucocorticoid in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

The study investigated the effects of large doses of glucocorticoids on 35 patients with severe alopecia areata. Patients received either a single 2 g dose of intravenous prednisolone or 0.5 g daily for 5 days orally. Results showed that 4 patients had a good response, 12 had a poor response, and 19 had no response. Some patients experienced relapse after 6 months, which could be temporarily halted with another dose. The study concluded that while some patients showed significant hair regrowth, the risks and inconsistent results make this treatment unsuitable for general use. The findings suggest a potential 'switch' mechanism in autoimmune diseases, but further research is needed.