Real-World Treatment Patterns Among Patients With Alopecia Areata in the USA: A Retrospective Claims Analysis

This retrospective claims-based study analyzed real-world treatment patterns for alopecia areata in the USA, including subtypes alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis, within the first year post-diagnosis. The study included 7,703 adults and 595 adolescents, with approximately 5% having severe subtypes. Corticosteroids were the most common first-line (1L) and second-line (2L) treatments. The mean time to 1L treatment initiation was 2.2 days for adults and 2.6 days for adolescents, with mean 1L durations of 76.9 and 64.3 days, respectively. For those requiring 2L therapy, the mean time from 1L discontinuation to 2L initiation was around 57 days, with mean 2L durations of about 55 days for adults and 50 days for adolescents. More patients with severe subtypes initiated 2L therapy compared to those without. The proportion of days covered during the first year was 36.7% for adults and 34.1% for adolescents, indicating a significant disease burden and the need for more effective treatments.