Exploring Guidelines for Alopecia Areata

Author(s):

Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA,Amy McMichael, MD

Key Takeaways

Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune disorder causing non-scarring hair loss due to immune system attacks on hair follicles.
Breakdown of immune privilege in hair follicles leads to infiltration by cytotoxic T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells.
Inflammatory cytokines like IFN-γ and TNF-α are key contributors to immune-mediated hair follicle destruction.
The chronicity of alopecia areata is linked to persistent immune dysregulation and genetic predisposition.

Panelists discuss how the high failure rate of conventional treatments for long-standing, extensive alopecia areata (AA) may be due to factors such as disease chronicity and inadequate response to available therapies, and the need for key updates in AA management guidelines, which have not been revised since 2003.

EP: 1.Discussing the Pathophysiology of Alopecia Areata

EP: 2.Common Comorbidities Associated With Alopecia Areata

EP: 3.Epidemiology Associated With Alopecia Areata

EP: 4.Hallmark Symptoms Seen With Alopecia Areata

EP: 5.Psychosocial Impact of Alopecia Areata

EP: 6.Diagnosis of Alopecia Areata

EP: 7.Multimodal Care for Patients With Alopecia Areata

EP: 8.Deciding When to Treat Patients With Alopecia Areata

EP: 9.Choosing an Initial Therapy for Alopecia Areata

EP: 10.Adherence to Alopecia Areata Therapies

EP: 11.Adverse Events Associated With Conventional Alopecia Areata Therapies

Now Viewing

EP: 12.Exploring Guidelines for Alopecia Areata

Video content above is prompted by the following:

Ungar: According to the guidelines, conventional treatments have a high failure rate for long-standing extensive AA,. wWhat do you believe accounts for the number of patients who are not responding adequately?

Friedland: The guidelines for the management of AA have not been updated since 2003. What key updates are needed in the newest version of the guidelines?

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