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This is an important and interesting negative study which confirms that the prognosis is poor for diffuse alopecia areata and that treatment options are limited. We do need to find a more effective therapeutic modality for this dreadful and devastating disease. Luckily for localised alopecia areata, the treatment options and prognosis are excellent.

 

Original Paper

Pulse Corticosteroid Therapy for Alopecia Areata: Long-Term Outcome after 10 Years

Dermatology (DOI: 10.1159/000341523)


goto top of page Key Words

  • Pulse corticosteroids
  • Methylprednisolone bolus
  • Alopecia areata
  • Alopecia totalis
  • Alopecia universalis


goto top of page Abstract

Background: Few data are available concerning the efficiency of pulse corticosteroids in alopecia areata (AA). Objective: Our purpose was to assess the long-term outcomes of patients treated with methylprednisolone bolus. Methods: This study included 60 patients treated between 1995 and 2000. The short-term outcomes were analyzed in 2000. The long-term assessment of 30 patients was performed in 2010 by phone questionnaire. Results: Significant hair regrowth was observed in 10/30 patients at 6 months after the bolus treatment. Half of the plurifocalis AA patients were responders at 6 months, but less than one quarter of alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU) patients responded. Long-term outcomes were assessed after a mean duration of 12.3 years; 8/10 initial responders had mild or no disease, and 14/20 initial nonresponders had severe AA. Conclusions: This study confirmed the low efficiency, both short- and long-term, of this treatment for AT and AU.

Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

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