Intravenous Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy in Severe Alopecia Areata

This study evaluated intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in 32 patients with severe alopecia areata resistant to topical treatments. Administering 500 mg of methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days, repeated monthly for 3 months, resulted in 81.3% of patients showing a favorable clinical response, with 12.5% achieving complete hair regrowth. The treatment was more effective in patients with their first episode of alopecia areata and those with multifocal alopecia areata compared to alopecia totalis and universalis. Side effects were mild, including headache, dizziness, and facial flushing. The study concluded that this therapy could be a viable option for severe alopecia areata, especially multifocal cases, but further research is needed to fully assess its benefits and risks.