PUVA Treatment of Alopecia Areata Totalis and Universalis: A Retrospective Study

The study reviewed the effectiveness of PUVA treatment in 26 adult patients with alopecia areata (AA) totalis and universalis. It found that 53% of patients with AA totalis and 55% of patients with AA universalis achieved complete hair regrowth (>90%). However, patients with AA totalis had a higher rate of treatment failure (<25% hair regrowth) compared to those with AA universalis. A family history of AA was associated with a lower likelihood of a positive response to PUVA treatment. Other factors such as sex, age at diagnosis and treatment, interval between diagnosis and treatment, and background of atopy did not significantly affect the outcome. The study also reported a low relapse rate (21%) over a mean follow-up period of 5.2 years.