Scalp biopsy influences diagnostic accuracy and treatment in Black women with alopecia: A retrospective study

Disease burden, clinical management and unmet treatment need of patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata; consensus statements, insights, and practices from CERTAAE (Central/Eastern EU, Russia, Türkiye AA experts) Delphi panel

“…One of the primary challenges in diagnosing AA lies in its resemblance to other forms of nonscarring alopecia, such as trichotillomania, traction alopecia, and telogen effluvium. Therefore, despite the characteristic clinical features of AA, there are instances where additional investigations may be warranted to confirm the diagnosis or exclude other conditions ( 19 , 20 ). As per the diagnostic approach in AA, this study reported that participant physicians agree that skin biopsies should be considered to exclude other conditions when the cause of hair loss is unclear.…”

“…As per the diagnostic approach in AA, this study reported that participant physicians agree that skin biopsies should be considered to exclude other conditions when the cause of hair loss is unclear. Numerous research articles have indicated that scalp biopsies enhance diagnostic precision compared to mere examination, potentially influencing both prognosis and therapeutic decisions ( 19 , 20 ). The panelists agreed that trichoscopy is an essential tool for the assessment of disease activity and severity, whereas trichogram was only found to be a useful complementary tool for clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and monitoring of treatment as well as therapeutic monitoring.…”

“…Common observations, perspectives, and practices* % therapeutic decisions (19,20). The panelists agreed that trichoscopy is an essential tool for the assessment of disease activity and severity, whereas trichogram was only found to be a useful complementary tool for clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and monitoring of treatment as well as therapeutic monitoring.…”