Alopecia Areata: From Diagnosis to Treatment

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Dermatology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2024) | Viewed by 1344

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: trichology; trichoscopy; hair; alopecia areata; acne vulgaris; scalp psoriasis; oncodermatology

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Guest Editor
Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Interests: tricology; tricoscopy; hair loss; alopecia areata; seborrheic dermatitis; androgenetic alopecia; psoriasis

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Guest Editor
1. Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
2. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Interests: alopecia; hair loss; nail; hair; alopecia areata; cicatricial alopecia; nail tumors; onychomycosis; scaling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Alopecia areata (AA) has been receiving increasing scientific attention in recent years. The reports of AA onset and reacutization after COVID-19 infection and vaccination shed new light on the pathogenesis of this disease and its possible triggers and worsening factors. Moreover, the introduction of Janus kinase (JAK) as a new effective treatment paved the way for a new therapeutic era for a disease whose therapies were often off-label and not always satisfactory. Nevertheless, this is just the beginning and there is still a lot to know about the mechanisms underlying AA, about how new therapies work and how they can give the best results. In this view, old and new diagnostic tools will be crucial for identifying the different pathogenic moments and for monitoring therapeutic progress.

In this Special Issue, we welcome authors to submit papers on any aspect of alopecia areata in order to be part of a new chapter of the story of this disease and to help improve the quality of life of affected patients.

Dr. Gemma Caro
Prof. Dr. Alfredo Rossi
Dr. Michela Starace
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • alopecia areata
  • alopecia totalis
  • alopecia universalis
  • JAK inhibitors
  • trichoscopy
  • JAK-STAT signaling pathway
  • quality of life

Published Papers (2 papers)

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9 pages, 1722 KiB  
Article
A New Method for the Follow-Up of Patients with Alopecia Areata
by Giulio Bortone, Gemma Caro, Lorenzo Ala, Luca Gargano and Alfredo Rossi
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(13), 3901; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13133901 - 3 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Background: Teledermatology is the application of information and telecommunication technologies in the field of dermatology to provide remote care services based on the exchange of clinical information within a network of professionals or between professionals and patients. Tele-trichoscopy is a non-invasive, inexpensive, and [...] Read more.
Background: Teledermatology is the application of information and telecommunication technologies in the field of dermatology to provide remote care services based on the exchange of clinical information within a network of professionals or between professionals and patients. Tele-trichoscopy is a non-invasive, inexpensive, and easy-to-use method that applies the principle of surface microscopy at different magnifications. Alopecia areata is a non-scarring alopecia with a chronic evolution, which often needs a close follow-up. Objectives: The aim of our work was to analyze the possible benefits of telemedicine for the follow-up of patients with alopecia areata. Materials and Methods: We enrolled patients with alopecia areata, identified during the first trichological evaluation, and we divided the patients into two groups. One group was provided with the devices necessary for a telemedicine follow-up. The other group had a conventional follow-up. The total follow-up time was one year. All of the patients’ photos were blindly evaluated by a team of expert dermatologists who were asked to indicate the quality of the images. The photos were also evaluated to identify disease markers. During the follow-up period, questionnaires were administered to both groups of patients to assess the quality of the visit, the level of patient satisfaction, and to identify any issues encountered by the patients. Results: There was a high degree of concordance between the images obtained by outpatient trichoscopy and those obtained by telemedicine. The satisfaction levels were the same between the patients followed via telemedicine and those seen in the outpatient clinic. Conclusions: Telemedicine applied to trichology using trichoscopy was proven to be a valid system for managing the follow-up of patients suffering from chronic recurrent scalp diseases and, above all, for maintaining continuity of care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alopecia Areata: From Diagnosis to Treatment)
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15 pages, 5917 KiB  
Review
Alopecia Areata of the Nails: Diagnosis and Management
by Christin Pelzer and Matilde Iorizzo
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(11), 3292; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13113292 - 3 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of non-scarring alopecia characterized by acute hair loss. Nail involvement, though not always present, can occur in AA patients. Nail changes are more frequent in severe forms of AA and in children. Methods: Literature related [...] Read more.
Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of non-scarring alopecia characterized by acute hair loss. Nail involvement, though not always present, can occur in AA patients. Nail changes are more frequent in severe forms of AA and in children. Methods: Literature related to nail changes in AA was comprehensively reviewed after a search on the PubMed database without time restrictions in order to identify common clinical presentations and associated factors to aid clinicians with the correct evaluation and management of these dystrophies. Results: Nail changes in AA include pitting, trachyonychia, leukonychia, red lunula, and miscellaneous alterations such as longitudinal ridging and brittle nails. Nail changes are usually asymptomatic but, nevertheless, sometimes cosmetically disfiguring and can be associated with a reduced quality of life and impaired daily activities. Conclusions: Nail changes in AA may precede or follow hair loss and can occur as an isolated finding. Diagnosis may require a biopsy for definitive identification. Spontaneous improvement is possible, particularly in children, and treatment is not always necessary. Further research is, however, needed to establish a consensus on treatment approaches according to age and severity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alopecia Areata: From Diagnosis to Treatment)
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