MedWorm: Alopecia Totalis

Serum T helper 1 cytokine levels are greater in patients with alopecia areata regardless of severity or atopy

Clinical And Experimental Dermatology — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Increased Th1 serum cytokines (IL-2, IL-12 and interferon-[gamma]) and IL-1ra levels are associated with AA regardless of disease severity or the presence of atopy. (Source: Clinical And Experimental Dermatology)

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Five-year experience in the treatment of alopecia areata with DPC

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Diphencyprone is an effective and safe treatment of extensive AA. A long period of therapy is needed and will increase the percentage of responders especially in alopecia totalis and universalis. Maintenance therapy is recommended to reduce the risk of relapse. (Source: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology)

Phase I/II randomized bilateral half-head comparison of topical bexarotene 1% gel for alopecia areata

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Topical bexarotene 1% application is well tolerated and possibly effective. A randomized placebo-controlled trial should be conducted. (Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology)

History of atopy or autoimmunity increases risk of alopecia areata

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: This analysis revealed that a history of atopy and autoimmune disease was associated with an increased risk of AA and that the results were consistent for both the severe subtype of AA (ie, alopecia totalis and alopecia universalis) and the localized subtype (ie, AA persistent). (Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology)

Combination therapy with oral PUVA and corticosteroid for recalcitrant alopecia areata

Archives of Dermatological Research — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:41:20 +0100

Abstract Alopecia areata (AA) is regarded as a tissue-specific autoimmune disease for which several therapies have been suggested to modify the immune reaction against HFs, such as contact immunotherapy, psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA), corticosteroids, cyclosporine, minoxidil, and dithranol. However, severe type AA, such as alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU), often show resistance against these therapies. We applied a combination therapy with oral corticosteroid and oral PUVA for intractable cases of AT and AU. These patients took 20 mg/day corticosteroid and were irradiated with UVA on the whole body 2 h after taking methoxsalen for 1 month. In all patients, the terminal hair on the whole scalp regrew after 2 months. Two patients h...

Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets Type II: Report of a Novel Mutation in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene.

Archives of Iranian Medicine — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100

In this report, we present the clinical findings on a family which exhibited the typical clinical features of hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets in two siblings. In addition, molecular analysis of the vitamin D receptor gene was performed by sequencing all coding exons. The cardinal findings in the index patient were alopecia totalis, renal tubular acidosis, mild generalized aminoaciduria, refractory rickets, high alkaline phosphatase, and hyperparathyroidism. Other routine biochemical tests were within normal limits, but 1+ glycine was detected in his urine. Skin biopsy results were compatible with alopecia areata. A previous child with similar phenotype was reported to be deceased at the age of 32 months. Mutation analysis of the vitamin D receptor gene by direct sequencing analysis ...

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Cochrane review: Interventions for alopecia areata

NeLM Headline News — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0100

According to the findings of a systematic review conducted by the Cochrane Collaboration, few treatments for alopecia areata (AA) have been well evaluated in randomised, controlled trials. AA is a disorder where there is a loss of hair with no scarring to the affected area. It can affect the entire scalp (alopecia totalis) or cause loss of all body hair (alopecia universalis). Its cause is not yet fully understood, and although it can start at any age, it will most commonly develop before 20 years of age. Although in many cases it can be a self-limiting condition, the hair loss will often have a severe social and emotional impact. Current treatments used for AA include corticosteroids (topical, local injection, oral, injection); systemic immunosuppression (e.g. psoralens plus PUVA); ora...

Alopecia areata progressing to totalis/universalis in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type II): Failure of dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide pulse therapy

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:56:40 +0100

Sehgal Virendra N, Bhattacharya Sambit N, Sharma Sonal, Srivastava Govind, Aggarwal Ashok KIndian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology 2008 74(2):171-173 (Source: Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology)

The effect of methylprednisolone pulse-therapy plus oral cyclosporine in the treatment of alopecia totalis and universalis.

Archives of Iranian Medicine — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic and side effects of pulse-therapy with methylprednisolone combined with oral cyclosporine in severe alopecia areata, defined as alopecia totalis and universalis. Six patients with alopecia totalis and 12 patients with alopecia universalis were referred to our center. The patients were treated with monthly intravenous methylprednisolone in doses of 500 mg for three days and oral cyclosporine (2.5 mg/kg/day) for five to eight months. Responses were categorized as: "adequate" (i.e., hair regrowth on > or =70% of the affected area) and "inadequate" (i.e., hair regrowth on <70% of the affected area). Adequate response was observed in six (33%) patients: three with alopecia totalis and 3 with alopecia universalis. Responses were b...

In vivo levels of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β1 and IFN-γ mRNA of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with alopecia areata in comparison to those in patients with atopic dermatitis

Archives of Dermatological Research — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 08:43:56 +0100

In conclusion, AA might be induced by an aberrant expression of IFN-γ in individuals whose PBMC produce low amounts of IFN-γ and TGF-β1. Further analysis is therefore required to investigate the phenotypes of the population in PBMC with or without reference to regulatory T cells. Content TypeJournal Article JournalArchives of Dermatological ResearchOnline ISSN 1432-069XPrint ISSN 0340-3696 (Source: Archives of Dermatological Research)

Acute alopecia totalis.

Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina, Panonica, et Adriatica — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:00:00 +0100

Authors: Choi HJ, Ihm CW From a group of 1,189 AA patients seen in our dermatology unit, thirteen (3 males, 10 females) experienced hair shedding that started profusely and diffusely over the entire scalp. They were under observation for about 5 years, histopathology and trichograms being performed in all instances. The mean age of the patients was 26.7 years. It took only 2.3 months on average from the onset of hair shedding to total denudation of the scalp. The trichogram at the time of diffuse shedding showed that about 80% had dystrophic roots and the remaining 20% had telogen roots. Histopathological findings and exclamation mark hairs were compatible with alopecia areata. Regrowth of hair was noted 3.2 month after the onset of hair shedding and recovery observed in 4.8 months. Al...

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