Early Intervention with High-Dose Steroid Pulse Therapy Prolongs Disease-Free Interval of Severe Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Study

January 2013 in “ Annals of Dermatology ”

Chao‐Chun Yang, Chun‐Te Lee, Chao‐Kai Hsu, Yi-Pei Lee, Tak‐Wah Wong, Sheau-Chiou Chao, Julia Yu-Yun Lee, Hamm‐Ming Sheu, WenChieh Chen

high-dose steroid pulse therapy oral steroid pulse therapy intravenous steroid pulse therapy alopecia areata alopecia totalis alopecia universalis ophiasis type steroid pulse therapy AA total hair loss universal hair loss ophiasis

Studysummary In this study, oral steroid pulse therapy was found to be as effective and well-tolerated as intravenous pulse therapy in treating severe alopecia areata, especially when started within one year of disease onset.

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

This retrospective study on 85 patients with severe alopecia areata (AA) treated between 1999 and 2010 found that high-dose steroid pulse therapy had a satisfactory response rate of 51.8%, with 32.9% achieving complete hair regrowth. Early intervention within one year of disease onset significantly improved response rates and reduced relapse rates, even in severe cases like alopecia totalis and universalis. There was no significant difference in effectiveness between oral and intravenous steroid administration, suggesting oral therapy as a viable first-line treatment. The study concluded that early steroid pulse therapy could prolong the disease-free interval in severe AA.

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research Placebo-Controlled Oral Pulse Prednisolone Therapy in Alopecia Areata

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In this study, oral prednisolone pulse therapy led to significant hair regrowth in some patients with extensive alopecia areata, whereas no improvement was seen in the placebo group.

research Guidelines for the Management of Alopecia Areata

182 citations , October 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

These guidelines for alopecia areata management, prepared by the British Association of Dermatologists, provide evidence-based treatment recommendations and insights into the condition's epidemiology, diagnosis, and investigation.

research High-Dose Steroid Pulse Therapy for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata

21 citations , March 2002 in “PubMed”

This study found that monthly high-dose steroid pulse therapy for approximately six months was effective and well-tolerated in Taiwanese patients with severe multifocal alopecia areata.

research Pulsed Administration of Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

117 citations , February 1996 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that monthly oral prednisolone pulses of 300 mg were effective and safe for treating widespread alopecia areata, with 58.3% of patients achieving cosmetically acceptable hair growth.