Abstract:According to this study, BAA may progress to scalp AA in a significant number of patients (45.5% of the patients with a follow-up interval of at least 12 months). In the group of patients who developed scalp AA, 80% of them did it within the first 12 months, so follow-up of patients with BAA is highly encouraged.
“…AA is a T-cell-mediated hair disorder that occurs due to genetic predisposition, is triggered by environmental factors, and is characterized by well-circumscribed, round patches in normal-looking skin (3). AA can occur on any hair-bearing area, the most affected area in >90% of patients being the scalp (9).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Although BAA is accepted as a cosmetic problem, a high number of patients suffer from anxiety and depressive symptoms (4). BAA is a frequent disease, but the number of trials on this topic is scarce, and these are mostly case reports (3,4,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic properties were described in a study where BAA were followed for 1 year (3).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The prevalence is 0.1%-0.2% in the general population, whereas the cumulative lifetime incidence is approximately 2% (2). There are few reports relevant to the characteristics of beard AA (BAA) (3,4). In a previous study, 45.5% of the patients with isolated BAA were reported to develop AA of the scalp within 1 year (3).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In a previous study, 45.5% of the patients with isolated BAA were reported to develop AA of the scalp within 1 year (3). Hence, it is recommended to monitor the patients with BAA regularly to detect the scalp hair loss (3).…”
The aim of this study is to investigate the usefulness of dermoscopic findings in the clinical evaluation of beard alopecia areata (BAA). Materials and Methods: A total of 38 patients who presented with BAA diagnosed via clinical evaluation and 38 adults who did not have BAA (control group) were included. Their age, skin phototype, localization, severity, scalp involvement, duration of the disease, laboratory findings, and concomitant disorders were noted. Clinical and dermoscopic photos were taken by videodermoscope and recorded. Dermoscopic findings were analyzed according to the checklist described in previous articles for scalp alopecia. Results: Clinical severity of alopecia areata was observed as 13 (34.2%) solitary lesions, 22 (57.9%) multiple lesions, and 3 (11.1%) cases of total beard loss. According to the follicular features, white vellus and tapering hairs were detected 26 (68.4%) and 8 (21.1%) in the patient group, respectively. The difference between white vellus (p=0.001) and tapering hairs (p=0.003) was significant between the patient and the control groups. Other follicular findings, such as yellow dots, black dots, black vellus hairs, broken hairs, hair diameter diversity, and gray-white dots, did not show a significant difference between the patient and control groups. None of the interfollicular findings were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: According to our study, a dermoscopic evaluation is useful in the clinical evaluation of BAA. Detection of the white vellus and tapering hairs may guide diagnosing of BAA.
“…AA is a T-cell-mediated hair disorder that occurs due to genetic predisposition, is triggered by environmental factors, and is characterized by well-circumscribed, round patches in normal-looking skin (3). AA can occur on any hair-bearing area, the most affected area in >90% of patients being the scalp (9).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Although BAA is accepted as a cosmetic problem, a high number of patients suffer from anxiety and depressive symptoms (4). BAA is a frequent disease, but the number of trials on this topic is scarce, and these are mostly case reports (3,4,(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic properties were described in a study where BAA were followed for 1 year (3).…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The prevalence is 0.1%-0.2% in the general population, whereas the cumulative lifetime incidence is approximately 2% (2). There are few reports relevant to the characteristics of beard AA (BAA) (3,4). In a previous study, 45.5% of the patients with isolated BAA were reported to develop AA of the scalp within 1 year (3).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In a previous study, 45.5% of the patients with isolated BAA were reported to develop AA of the scalp within 1 year (3). Hence, it is recommended to monitor the patients with BAA regularly to detect the scalp hair loss (3).…”
The aim of this study is to investigate the usefulness of dermoscopic findings in the clinical evaluation of beard alopecia areata (BAA). Materials and Methods: A total of 38 patients who presented with BAA diagnosed via clinical evaluation and 38 adults who did not have BAA (control group) were included. Their age, skin phototype, localization, severity, scalp involvement, duration of the disease, laboratory findings, and concomitant disorders were noted. Clinical and dermoscopic photos were taken by videodermoscope and recorded. Dermoscopic findings were analyzed according to the checklist described in previous articles for scalp alopecia. Results: Clinical severity of alopecia areata was observed as 13 (34.2%) solitary lesions, 22 (57.9%) multiple lesions, and 3 (11.1%) cases of total beard loss. According to the follicular features, white vellus and tapering hairs were detected 26 (68.4%) and 8 (21.1%) in the patient group, respectively. The difference between white vellus (p=0.001) and tapering hairs (p=0.003) was significant between the patient and the control groups. Other follicular findings, such as yellow dots, black dots, black vellus hairs, broken hairs, hair diameter diversity, and gray-white dots, did not show a significant difference between the patient and control groups. None of the interfollicular findings were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: According to our study, a dermoscopic evaluation is useful in the clinical evaluation of BAA. Detection of the white vellus and tapering hairs may guide diagnosing of BAA.
“…Loss of beard hair can have a more significant impact in some populations, as unshaved beard is important in expressing specific religious norms, such as in some Islamic societies and for orthodox and ultraorthodox Jews [9]. Although AA of the beard is a common entity in clinical practice [10,11], it is interesting to note that its psychological and social effects have not been specifically studied. In our patient, being an ultraorthodox Jewish man, the loss of the beard hair had a significant effect on the social life of the patient, urging us to try newer treatment options.…”
While most alopecia areata (AA) cases resolve spontaneously, the more severe types of AA, alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU), can be highly resistant to therapy. We report on a 33-year-old ultraorthodox Jewish man with an 11-year history of AA that resulted in complete loss of the scalp and body hair 7 years ago. Previous treatments with intralesional and systemic corticosteroids had only partial and temporary effects. The patient was treated with ruxolitinib, 20 mg twice daily, resulting in complete growth of the beard after 4 months of treatment. The beard has a special significance for ultraorthodox Jews, and loss of the beard hair can have marked social and psychological consequences in AA patients. The Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have recently emerged as an effective treatment modality in AA, including the more severe forms, such as AT or AU. This report highlights the beneficial effects of the JAK inhibitors, especially in populations where the hair has a special importance due to cultural and religious backgrounds.
Introduction
Alopecia areata (AA) affects approximately 2% of the general population and is associated with significant psychosocial morbidity and poor health-related quality of life. Despite the high incidence of the disease the available clinical practice guidelines to help clinicians and improve patients’ care are very poor and of a low methodological quality, as compared to other high-burden dermatoses. The aim of this survey is to capture the current clinical practice in AA management, as performed by dermatologists, in two Mediterranean countries to identify potential disparities and gaps in diagnosis and treatment.
Methods
A 50-item questionnaire was created in the English language and then translated into Greek and Italian language and sent to the Greek and Italian dermatologists via email.
Results
A total of 490 dermatologists from Italy and 234 from Greece participated in the survey. The diagnosis of AA is usually based on history and clinical examination, supported by trichoscopy. The rate of use of severity scores and scales to evaluate impact on quality of life by dermatologists was low. Treatment of patchy AA, in both adult and pediatric populations, is based on use of topical steroids as first-line treatment. Results on special site involvement (eyebrows, beard, and ophiasis), chronic cases, and the pediatric population highlight extreme heterogeneity in treatment approach.
Conclusions
Our results highlight that management of AA, in terms of diagnosis and treatment, is still challenging.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13555-024-01141-z.
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