Medium-Dose Prednisolone Pulse Therapy in Alopecia Areata

November 2009 in “ Dermato-endocrinology ”

Pinelopi Efentaki, Andreas Altenburg, Johannes Haerting, Christos C. Zouboulis

prednisolone alopecia areata topical treatments alopecia totalis alopecia universalis ophiasis multifocal AA AA

From the encyclopedia

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Studysummary This study found that a series of three monthly courses of medium-dose prednisolone pulse therapy was effective and well tolerated in most patients with active, multifocal alopecia areata but not in those with totalis/universalis.

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

The study "Medium-dose prednisolone pulse therapy in alopecia areata" evaluated the efficacy and safety of this treatment in 23 patients with alopecia areata resistant to topical treatments or rapidly evolving AA. Patients received 100 mg intravenous prednisolone over 3 consecutive days at 1-month intervals for three courses. Results showed significant improvement in 84% of patients with multifocal AA, while those with alopecia totalis and universalis did not respond. One patient with ophiasis type responded but relapsed after 7 months. No major side effects were observed, indicating the treatment was effective and well-tolerated for most patients with multifocal AA. The review of various studies suggested that while medium-dose prednisolone pulse therapy could be beneficial, potential adverse effects required careful monitoring.

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Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research Alopecia Areata: A Tissue-Specific Autoimmune Disease of the Hair Follicle

185 citations , August 2005 in “Autoimmunity Reviews”

This review discusses alopecia areata as a model for studying tissue-directed autoimmune diseases and reports no new clinical findings.

research Management of Hair Loss

74 citations , April 2005 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This article reviews treatment options for male-pattern and female-pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata, but provides no new clinical results; algorithmic management approaches are included.

research Placebo-Controlled Oral Pulse Prednisolone Therapy in Alopecia Areata

141 citations , February 2005 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

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 Systemic Steroids With or Without 2% Topical Minoxidil in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

101 citations , November 1992 in “Archives of Dermatology”

In this study, tapering prednisone followed by 2% topical minoxidil helped limit hair loss in some patients with alopecia areata, with 30% to 47% showing over 25% hair regrowth initially.

research Juvenile Versus Maturity-Onset Alopecia Areata: A Comparative Retrospective Clinical Study

164 citations , November 1989 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

This retrospective study found that juvenile alopecia areata is more severe and has a worse prognosis than maturity-onset alopecia areata.

research Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Alopecia Totalis

28 citations , October 1978 in “Archives of dermatology”

This study found that combined topical, intralesional, and oral corticosteroids led to significant hair regrowth in some patients with alopecia totalis or universalis, allowing eventual cessation of oral corticosteroids in several cases.

research Systemic Steroids for Treatment of Alopecia Areata

9 citations , December 1977 in “Archives of Dermatology”

This article rebuts a previous rejection of corticosteroid therapy for alopecia areata, reporting successful treatment in multiple patients with systemic and intralesional steroids and minimal side effects.

research Large Doses of Glucocorticoid in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

80 citations , November 1975 in “Acta dermato-venereologica”

This study found that while some patients with severe alopecia areata responded to high-dose prednisolone, the response was inconsistent and the therapy's risks prevent recommending it for general use.