Treatments for Alopecia Areata: A Network Meta-Analysis

September 2020 in “ Cochrane library (CD-ROM) ”

Monica Novoa-Candia, Guillermo Sánchez‐Vanegas, Ingrid Arévalo-Rodríguez, Sergio Vañó‐Galván, Mayra Gizeth Urueña Rodriguez, Lucía Giraldo, David Saceda‐Corralo, Aurelio Tobías, Jaqueline Tomlinson, Daniel Ortega‐Quijano, Javier Zamora

alopecia areata patchy alopecia alopecia totalis alopecia universalis corticosteroids immunosuppressants biological agents topical immunotherapy hair growth stimulants minoxidil randomized controlled trials hair regrowth adverse events quality of life long-term hair regrowth Rogaine RCTs

From the encyclopedia

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This Cochrane Review protocol aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of various treatments for alopecia areata through a network meta-analysis, but no specific study findings are reported yet.

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

The document outlined a protocol for a network meta-analysis to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of various treatments for alopecia areata (AA), including patchy alopecia, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis. The study aimed to rank treatments based on their effectiveness and safety, using data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Treatments reviewed included local and systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, biological agents, topical immunotherapy, and hair growth stimulants like minoxidil. The primary outcomes were significant hair regrowth and incidence of serious adverse events, with secondary outcomes including quality of life and long-term hair regrowth sustainability. The analysis planned to use statistical methods to handle different study designs and missing data, with the goal of providing a comprehensive evaluation to guide clinical decisions in managing AA.

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Research cited in this study

33 / 33 results

research Novel Effect of Sildenafil on Hair Growth

16 citations , October 2018 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

In this study, sildenafil was found to enhance human dermal papilla cell proliferation and promote hair growth in mice, suggesting potential use in alopecia treatment.

research Comorbidities in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

100 citations , July 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that alopecia areata is linked with a higher prevalence of systemic and psychiatric diseases, suggesting that physicians should monitor for these potential comorbidities.

research Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitors: A Review of Applications in Dermatology

63 citations , April 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses the efficacy and safety of topical JAK inhibitors for inflammatory skin conditions, reporting modest benefits in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis but mixed results for vitiligo and inconclusive data for alopecia areata.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Revisited: The Key to Alopecia Areata Management

102 citations , December 2017 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This review discusses the role of immune privilege collapse in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata, emphasizing the potential for therapeutic manipulation of hair bulb immune privilege to offer new treatment options, and reports no new results.

research Quantifying Alopecia Areata via Texture Analysis to Automate the SALT Score Computation

20 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This article presents a computer imaging algorithm that may automate and enhance the Severity of Alopecia Tool scoring for alopecia areata through texture analysis of pediatric images.

research Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata in Adults and Adolescents

28 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This review summarizes findings on the long-term use of tofacitinib for severe alopecia areata, reporting its potential as a promising treatment option.

research Alopecia Areata: Treatment Options and Efficacy

182 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews current and emerging treatments for alopecia areata, including Janus kinase inhibitors, highlighting variability in clinical outcomes and the lack of sustained remission.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical evaluation, and pathogenesis of alopecia areata and highlights recent advancements, but it does not report new clinical findings.

research Objective Outcome Measures: Collecting Meaningful Data on Alopecia Areata

39 citations , November 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review presents standardized methods for assessing and tracking hair loss in alopecia areata but reports no clinical results, with the authors noting time limitations in clinical practice.

research Management of Alopecia Areata: Updates and Algorithmic Approach

47 citations , June 2017 in “Journal of dermatology”

This review highlights the diverse prognoses and limited long-term efficacy of current alopecia areata treatments, discussing existing and emerging therapies—including biologics—and proposing an algorithmic management approach based on specific disease characteristics.

Systematic Review and Quality Analysis of Studies on the Efficacy of Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone Treatment for Alopecia Areata

research Systematic Review and Quality Analysis of Studies on the Efficacy of Topical Diphenylcyclopropenone Treatment for Alopecia Areata

21 citations , June 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reviewed existing articles to assess the efficacy of topical diphenylcyclopropenone immunotherapy for alopecia areata, but it did not report new clinical results.

research Alopecia Areata: An Update on Treatment Options for Children

21 citations , May 2017 in “Paediatric drugs”

Individualized treatment plans are crucial for children with alopecia areata, with promising options like JAK inhibitors showing significant hair regrowth.

research Comorbidities in Patients with Alopecia Areata

56 citations , March 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata patients often have eczema, thyroid issues, vitamin-D deficiency, and anemia.

research Treating Alopecia Areata: Current Practices Versus New Directions

26 citations , October 2016 in “American journal of clinical dermatology”

New treatments like JAK inhibitors show promise for reversing alopecia areata.

research Efficacy and Safety of Superficial Cryotherapy for Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Comprehensive Review of 353 Cases Over 22 Years

16 citations , October 2016 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

In this retrospective study, 60.9% of patients with alopecia areata responded to superficial hypothermic cryotherapy, with effectiveness notably higher when the treatment interval was 2 weeks or less, particularly in early disease stages, and minimal side effects were observed.

research Remarkable Improvement of Nail Changes in Alopecia Areata Universalis with 10 Months of Treatment with Tofacitinib: A Case Report

26 citations , October 2016 in “Case Reports in Dermatology”

In this study, tofacitinib treatment in a male patient with alopecia areata led to significant hair regrowth and improvement in nail dystrophy symptoms, restoring finger function within 10 months.

research Alopecia Areata and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

128 citations , February 2016 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that patients with alopecia areata experience significant impairments in health-related quality of life, notably affecting mental health, according to various quality of life assessment tools.

research Biomarkers of Alopecia Areata Disease Activity and Response to Corticosteroid Treatment

65 citations , December 2015 in “Experimental dermatology”

This study found that both Th1 and Th2 immune responses, along with IL-23 and IL-32 cytokine pathways, are active in alopecia areata lesions, and corticosteroid injections significantly altered these immune markers.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata With Topical Sensitizers

15 citations , January 2015 in “Dermatitis”

This review discusses the efficacy and safety of topical sensitizers for treating alopecia areata and reports no new clinical results; it emphasizes advancements in pediatric use, molecular mechanisms, and targeted delivery methods.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

16 citations , January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology”

This article reviews treatment options and psychological impacts of alopecia areata and reports no new clinical findings.

research The Autoimmune Basis of Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review

162 citations , October 2014 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

This review discusses alopecia areata, highlighting its autoimmune aspects, environmental triggers, and current treatment options, but reports no new clinical results; recent studies suggest JAK pathway intervention may offer therapeutic potential.

research Efficacy and Safety of Methotrexate in Alopecia Areata

44 citations , August 2014 in “Anais brasileiros de dermatologia/Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

This study found that methotrexate may be an effective and safe treatment option for severe alopecia areata, with better regrowth results when combined with corticosteroids.

How Effective Is Intralesional Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide Compared with Topical Treatments in Inducing and Maintaining Hair Growth in Patients with Alopecia Areata? A Critically Appraised Topic

research How Effective Is Intralesional Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide Compared with Topical Treatments in Inducing and Maintaining Hair Growth in Patients with Alopecia Areata? A Critically Appraised Topic

25 citations , February 2014 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

The authors concluded that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide may benefit patients with patch-type alopecia areata, but the evidence is limited due to small, bias-prone studies with variations in treatment protocols.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Alopecia Areata: A New Treatment Plan

67 citations , July 2011 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

This review discusses various therapeutic agents for alopecia areata, categorized by efficacy and safety, and highlights the lack of curative treatments and long-term outcome studies.

research Alopecia: Evaluation and Treatment

76 citations , July 2011 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This review discusses clinical methods for diagnosing alopecia and examines current treatments for both cicatricial and noncicatricial forms but provides no new clinical results.

research Interventions for Alopecia Areata

164 citations , April 2008 in “Cochrane library”

This review of interventions for alopecia areata found no significant treatment benefits for hair growth compared to placebo, indicating a need for larger, well-conducted studies.

research A Comparison of the Efficacy, Relapse Rate, and Side Effects Among Three Modalities of Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy for Alopecia Areata

97 citations , January 2006 in “Dermatology”

This study found that intramuscular triamcinolone acetonide or pulse therapy effectively treats alopecia areata with manageable side effects, but further strategies are needed to reduce relapse rates.