Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2023 Oct 23;10(10):CD013719.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013719.pub2.

Treatments for alopecia areata: a network meta-analysis

Miriam Mateos-Haro #  1   2 , Monica Novoa-Candia #  3 , Guillermo Sánchez Vanegas  4 , Andrea Correa-Pérez  1   5 , Andrea Gaetano Gil  1 , Silvia Fernández-García  6 , Daniel Ortega-Quijano  7 , Mayra Gizeth Urueña Rodriguez  8 , David Saceda-Corralo  7 , Tayeb Bennouna-Dalero  9 , Lucia Giraldo  3 , Jaqueline Tomlinson  10 , Sergio Vaño-Galván  7 , Javier Zamora  11   12   13
Affiliations
Review

Treatments for alopecia areata: a network meta-analysis

Miriam Mateos-Haro et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. .

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease leading to nonscarring hair loss on the scalp or body. There are different treatments including immunosuppressants, hair growth stimulants, and contact immunotherapy.

Objectives: To assess the benefits and harms of the treatments for alopecia areata (AA), alopecia totalis (AT), and alopecia universalis (AU) in children and adults.

Search methods: The Cochrane Skin Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP were searched up to July 2022.

Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated classical immunosuppressants, biologics, small molecule inhibitors, contact immunotherapy, hair growth stimulants, and other therapies in paediatric and adult populations with AA.

Data collection and analysis: We used the standard procedures expected by Cochrane including assessment of risks of bias using RoB2 and the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. The primary outcomes were short-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% (between 12 and 26 weeks of follow-up), and incidence of serious adverse events. The secondary outcomes were long-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% (greater than 26 weeks of follow-up) and health-related quality of life. We could not perform a network meta-analysis as very few trials compared the same treatments. We presented direct comparisons and made a narrative description of the findings.

Main results: We included 63 studies that tested 47 different treatments in 4817 randomised participants. All trials used a parallel-group design except one that used a cross-over design. The mean sample size was 78 participants. All trials recruited outpatients from dermatology clinics. Participants were between 2 and 74 years old. The trials included patients with AA (n = 25), AT (n = 1), AU (n = 1), mixed cases (n = 31), and unclear types of alopecia (n = 4). Thirty-three out of 63 studies (52.3%) reported the proportion of participants achieving short-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% (between 12 and 26 weeks). Forty-seven studies (74.6%) reported serious adverse events and only one study (1.5%) reported health-related quality of life. Five studies (7.9%) reported the proportion of participants with long-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% (greater than 26 weeks). Amongst the variety of interventions found, we prioritised some groups of interventions for their relevance to clinical practice: systemic therapies (classical immunosuppressants, biologics, and small molecule inhibitors), and local therapies (intralesional corticosteroids, topical small molecule inhibitors, contact immunotherapy, hair growth stimulants and cryotherapy). Considering only the prioritised interventions, 14 studies from 12 comparisons reported short-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% and 22 studies from 10 comparisons reported serious adverse events (18 reported zero events and 4 reported at least one). One study (1 comparison) reported quality of life, and two studies (1 comparison) reported long-term hair regrowth ≥ 75%. For the main outcome of short-term hair regrowth ≥ 75%, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of oral prednisolone or cyclosporine versus placebo (RR 4.68, 95% CI 0.57 to 38.27; 79 participants; 2 studies; very low-certainty evidence), intralesional betamethasone or triamcinolone versus placebo (RR 13.84, 95% CI 0.87 to 219.76; 231 participants; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence), oral ruxolitinib versus oral tofacitinib (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.52; 80 participants; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence), diphencyprone or squaric acid dibutil ester versus placebo (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.71; 99 participants; 1 study; very-low-certainty evidence), diphencyprone or squaric acid dibutyl ester versus topical minoxidil (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.71; 99 participants; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence), diphencyprone plus topical minoxidil versus diphencyprone (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.13 to 3.44; 30 participants; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence), topical minoxidil 1% and 2% versus placebo (RR 2.31, 95% CI 1.34 to 3.96; 202 participants; 2 studies; very low-certainty evidence) and cryotherapy versus fractional CO2 laser (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.86; 80 participants; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). The evidence suggests oral betamethasone may increase short-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% compared to prednisolone or azathioprine (RR 1.67, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.88; 80 participants; 2 studies; low-certainty evidence). There may be little to no difference between subcutaneous dupilumab and placebo in short-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% (RR 3.59, 95% CI 0.19 to 66.22; 60 participants; 1 study; low-certainty evidence) as well as between topical ruxolitinib and placebo (RR 5.00, 95% CI 0.25 to 100.89; 78 participants; 1 study; low-certainty evidence). However, baricitinib results in an increase in short-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% when compared to placebo (RR 7.54, 95% CI 3.90 to 14.58; 1200 participants; 2 studies; high-certainty evidence). For the incidence of serious adverse events, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of topical ruxolitinib versus placebo (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.94; 78 participants; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). Baricitinib and apremilast may result in little to no difference in the incidence of serious adverse events versus placebo (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.60 to 3.60; 1224 participants; 3 studies; low-certainty evidence). The same result is observed for subcutaneous dupilumab compared to placebo (RR 1.54, 95% CI 0.07 to 36.11; 60 participants; 1 study; low-certainty evidence). For health-related quality of life, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of oral cyclosporine compared to placebo (MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.07; very low-certainty evidence). Baricitinib results in an increase in long-term hair regrowth ≥ 75% compared to placebo (RR 8.49, 95% CI 4.70 to 15.34; 1200 participants; 2 studies; high-certainty evidence). Regarding the risk of bias, the most relevant issues were the lack of details about randomisation and allocation concealment, the limited efforts to keep patients and assessors unaware of the assigned intervention, and losses to follow-up.

Authors' conclusions: We found that treatment with baricitinib results in an increase in short- and long-term hair regrowth compared to placebo. Although we found inconclusive results for the risk of serious adverse effects with baricitinib, the reported small incidence of serious adverse events in the baricitinib arm should be balanced with the expected benefits. We also found that the impact of other treatments on hair regrowth is very uncertain. Evidence for health-related quality of life is still scant.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Miriam Mateos‐Haro has no conflicts of interest.

Monica Novoa‐Candia has no conflicts of interest.

Guillermo Sánchez Vanegas has no conflicts of interest.

Andrea Correa‐Pérez has no conflicts of interest.

Andrea Gaetano‐Gil has no conflicts of interest.

Silvia Fernández‐García has no conflicts of interest.

Daniel Ortega‐Quijano has no conflicts of interest.

Mayra Gizeth Urueña Rodriguez has no conflicts of interest.

David Saceda‐Corralo has no conflicts of interest.

Tayeb Bennouna‐Dalero has no conflicts of interest.

Lucia Giraldo has no conflicts of interest.

Jaqueline Tomlinson has no conflicts of interest.

Sergio Vaño‐Galván declares receiving consulting fees from Eli Lilly and Company and Pfizer Canada INC.

Javier Zamora has no conflicts of interest.

Figures

1
1
Study flow diagram
2
2
1.1
1.1. Analysis
Comparison 1: Oral classical immunosuppressants vs placebo, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
1.2
1.2. Analysis
Comparison 1: Oral classical immunosuppressants vs placebo, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
1.3
1.3. Analysis
Comparison 1: Oral classical immunosuppressants vs placebo, Outcome 3: Health‐related quality of life
2.1
2.1. Analysis
Comparison 2: Oral classical immunosuppressants vs oral classical immunosuppressants, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
2.2
2.2. Analysis
Comparison 2: Oral classical immunosuppressants vs oral classical immunosuppressants, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
3.1
3.1. Analysis
Comparison 3: Intralesional classical immunosuppressants vs placebo, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
3.2
3.2. Analysis
Comparison 3: Intralesional classical immunosuppressants vs placebo, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
4.1
4.1. Analysis
Comparison 4: Subcutaneous biologics vs placebo, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
4.2
4.2. Analysis
Comparison 4: Subcutaneous biologics vs placebo, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
5.1
5.1. Analysis
Comparison 5: Oral small molecule inhibitors vs placebo, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
5.2
5.2. Analysis
Comparison 5: Oral small molecule inhibitors vs placebo, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
5.3
5.3. Analysis
Comparison 5: Oral small molecule inhibitors vs placebo, Outcome 3: Long‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
6.1
6.1. Analysis
Comparison 6: Oral small molecule inhibitors vs oral small molecule inhibitors, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
6.2
6.2. Analysis
Comparison 6: Oral small molecule inhibitors vs oral small molecule inhibitors, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
7.1
7.1. Analysis
Comparison 7: Topical small molecule inhibitors vs placebo, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
7.2
7.2. Analysis
Comparison 7: Topical small molecule inhibitors vs placebo, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
8.1
8.1. Analysis
Comparison 8: Contact immunotherapy vs placebo, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
9.1
9.1. Analysis
Comparison 9: Contact immunotherapy vs topical hair growth stimulants, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
10.1
10.1. Analysis
Comparison 10: Contact immunotherapy + hair growth stimulants vs contact immunotherapy, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
10.2
10.2. Analysis
Comparison 10: Contact immunotherapy + hair growth stimulants vs contact immunotherapy, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
11.1
11.1. Analysis
Comparison 11: Topical hair growth stimulants vs placebo, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
11.2
11.2. Analysis
Comparison 11: Topical hair growth stimulants vs placebo, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
12.1
12.1. Analysis
Comparison 12: Other therapies, Outcome 1: Short‐term hair regrowth ≥ 75%
12.2
12.2. Analysis
Comparison 12: Other therapies, Outcome 2: Incidence of serious adverse events
13.1
13.1. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 1: Sensitivity analysis. Oral classical immunosuppressants vs placebo: short‐term hair regrowth
13.2
13.2. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 2: Sensitivity analysis. Betamethasone vs azathioprine or prednisolone: short‐term hair regrowth
13.3
13.3. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 3: Sensitivity analysis. Intralesional classical immunosuppressants vs placebo: short‐term hair regrowth
13.4
13.4. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 4: Sensitivity analysis. Subcutaneous biologics vs placebo: short‐term hair regrowth
13.5
13.5. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 5: Sensitivity analysis. Oral small molecule inhibitors: baricitinib vs placebo
13.6
13.6. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 6: Sensitivity analysis. Oral small molecule inhibitors: ruxolitinib vs tofacitinib
13.7
13.7. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 7: Sensitivity analysis. Topical small molecule inhibitors: short‐term hair regrowth
13.8
13.8. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 8: Sensitivity analysis. Contact immunotherapy vs placebo: short‐term hair regrowth
13.9
13.9. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 9: Sensitivity analysis. Contact immunotherapy vs minoxidil: short‐term hair regrowth
13.10
13.10. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 10: Sensitivity analysis. Contact immunotherapy + hair growth stimulants vs contact immunotherapy: short term hair regrowth
13.11
13.11. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 11: Sensitivity analysis. Topical hair growth stimulants vs placebo: short‐term hair‐regrowth
13.12
13.12. Analysis
Comparison 13: Sensitivity analysis, Outcome 12: Sensitivity analysis. Cryotherapy vs fractional CO2 laser: short‐term hair regrowth
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Update of

  • doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013719

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

References to studies included in this review

Abdallah 2020 {published data only}
    1. Abdallah MAER, Shareef R, Soltan MY. Efficacy of intradermal minoxidil 5% injections for treatment of patchy non-severe alopecia areata. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2020 Jul 27 [Epub ahead of print];33:1126-9. [DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1793893] - DOI - PubMed
Abdel 2020 {published data only}
    1. Abdel Motaleb AA, Sayed DS. Different freezing time of superficial liquid nitrogen cryotherapy in treatment of recalcitrant alopecia areata: Randomized clinical trial. Dermatologic Therapy 2020 Jun 4 [Epub ahead of print]. [DOI: 10.1111/dth.13640] - DOI - PubMed
Agrawal 2020 {published data only}
    1. Agrawal S, Dhurat R. Efficacy and safety of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) and anthralin combination vs DPCP alone in the treatment of chronic patchy alopecia areata. Journal of the Dermatology Nurses' Association 2021;12:2. [CENTRAL: CN-02260154]
Albalat 2019 {published data only}
    1. Albalat W, Ebrahim HM. Evaluation of platelet-rich plasma vs intralesional steroid in treatment of alopecia areata. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2019;18(5):1456‐62. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Almutairi 2019 {published data only}
    1. Almutairi N, Nour TM, Hussain NH. Janus kinase inhibitors for the treatment of severe alopecia areata: an open-label comparative study. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 2019;235(2):130‐6. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Amaral 2003 {published data only}
    1. Amaral Maia CP, Conceicao Fernandes N. Therapy of alopecia areata with topical corticosteroid: prospective double-blind controlled assay in children. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2003;78(1):63‐71.
Asilian 2020 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Asilian A, Fatemia F, Ganjeia Z, Siadata AH, Mohaghegha F, Siavash M. Oral pulse betamethasone, methotrexate, and combination therapy to treat severe alopecia areata: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2020;20:267-73. [DOI: 10.22037/ijpr.2020.113868.14536] - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. IRCT20181226042136N1. Comparison of betamethasone and methotrexate efficacy in the treatment of alopecia areata [Comparative of betamethasone pulse, methotrexate pulse and betamethasone combination using methotrexate pulse therapy in treatment of severe alopecia areata]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=IRCT20181226042136N1 (first received 15 January 2019).
Azimi 2018 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Azimi Alamdari H, Ranjkesh MR, Salehipour A. Efficiacy of diphenylcyclopropenone and anthralin in patients with alopecia areata: a compration study. Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Health Services 2018;40(1):43-51.
    1. IRCT201410113566N5. Diphencyprone and anthralin in alopecia areata [Evaluation of the efficacy and side effects of topical diphencyprone with or without topical anthralin in patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata referring to Razi Hospital Diphencyprone Clinic, 2018- 2019]. trialsearch.who.int/?TrialID=IRCT201410113566N5 (accessed 22 October 2021).
Barreto‐Rocha 2021 {published data only}
    1. Barreto-Rocha V, Kakizaki P, Donati A, Machado CJ Pires MC, Contin LA. Randomized controlled study comparing the use of diphencyprone and anthralin in the treatment of extensive chronic alopecia areata. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2021;96(3):372-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2020.06.018] - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Bokhari 2018 {published data only}
    1. Bokhari L, Sinclair R. Treatment of alopecia universalis with topical Janus kinase inhibitors - a double blind, placebo, and active controlled pilot study. International Journal of Dermatology 2018;57(12):1464-70. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Charuwichitratana 2000 {published data only}
    1. Charuwichitratana S, Wattanakrai P, Tanrattanakorn S. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in the treatment of alopecia areata with 0.25% desoximetasone cream. Archives of Dermatology 2000;136(10):1276-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Chu 2015 {published data only}
    1. Chu TW, AlJasser M, Alharbi A, Abahussein O, McElwee K, Shapiro J. Benefit of different concentrations of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in alopecia areata: an intrasubject pilot study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2015;73(2):338-40. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Devi 2015 {published data only}
    1. Devi M, Rashid A, Ghafoor R. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide versus topical betamethasone valerate in the management of localized alopecia areata. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons-Pakistan 2015;25(12):860-2. [PMID: ] - PubMed
El‐Taieb 2017 {published data only}
    1. El Taieb MA, Ibrahim H, Nada EA, Seif Al-Din M. Platelets rich plasma versus minoxidil 5% in treatment of alopecia areata: a trichoscopic evaluation. Dermatologic Therapy 2017;30(1):1-6. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Fransway 1988 {published data only}
    1. Fransway AF, Muller SA. 3 percent topical minoxidil compared with placebo for the treatment of chronic severe alopecia areata. Cutis 1988;41(6):431-5. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Ghandi 2021 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Ghandi N, Daneshmand R, Hatami P, Abedini R, Nasimi M, Aryanian Z, et al. A randomized trial of diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) combined with anthralin versus DPCP alone for treating moderate to severe alopecia areata. International Immunopharmacology 2021;99:107971. [PMID: ] - PubMed
    1. IRCT20141209020250N4. Diphencyprone and anthralin in alopecia areata [Evaluation of the efficacy and side effects of topical diphencyprone with or without topical anthralin in patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata referring to Razi Hospital Diphencyprone Clinic, 2018- 2019]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=IRCT20141209020250N4 (first received 30 June 2018).
Goyal 2000 {published data only}
    1. Goyal NN, Amladi ST, Jerajani HR. Steroids in alopecia areata: oral minipulse vs daily dose. Indian Journal of Dermatology 2000;45(2):72‐5.
Gupta 2019 {published and unpublished data}
    1. A study to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on hair regrowth in alopecia areata [A randomized, investigator‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, split‐head pilot study to evaluate the effects of autologous platelet‐rich plasma on hair growth and lesional T‐helper and T‐regulatory cells expression markers in alopecia areata]. www.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=CTRI/2017/02/007932 (first received 21 February 2017). [CENTRAL: CN-01818638]
    1. Gupta P, Verma KK, Khandpur S, Bhari N. Weekly azathioprine pulse versus betamethasone oral mini-pulse in the treatment of moderate-to-severe alopecia areata. Indian Journal of Dermatology 2019;64(4):292-8. - PMC - PubMed
Guttman‐Yassky 2021 {published data only}
    1. Guttman-Yassky E, Renert-Yuval Y, Bares J, Chima M, Hawkes JE, Gilleaudeau P, et al. Phase 2a randomized clinical trial of dupilumab (anti-IL-4Rα) for alopecia areata patients. Allergy 2021 Aug 30 [Epub ahead of print]. [DOI: 10.1111/all.15071] - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Hamdino 2021 {published data only}
    1. Hamdino M, El-Barbary RA, Darwish HM. Intralesional methotrexate versus triamcinolone acetonide for localized alopecia areata treatment: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2021 Mar 22 [Epub ahead of print]. [DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14090] - DOI - PubMed
Hay 1998 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology 1998;134(11):1349-52. [DOI: 10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349] - DOI - PubMed
    1. Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. The use of aromatherapy as a successful treatment for alopecia areata. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology: JEADV 1998;11(Suppl 2):S147. [DOI: 10.1016/S0926-9959(98)95096-6] - DOI
Hedge 2020 {published data only}
    1. Hegde P, Relhan V, Sahoo B, Garg VK. A randomized, placebo and active controlled, split scalp study to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in patchy alopecia areata of the scalp. Dermatologic Therapy 2020;33(6):e14388. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Iraji 2014 {published data only}
    1. Iraji F, Hosseini SM, Siadat AH, Nilforoushzadeh MA, Mashhadi Z. Comparing the efficiency of combination of minoxidil solution and tacrolimus cream with minoxidil solution alone in the treatment of alopecia areata. Journal of Isfahan Medical School 2014;31(269):2315-25.
Kapoor 2020 {published data only}
    1. Kapoor P, Kumar S, Brar BK, Kukar N, Arora H, Brar SK. Comparative evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide versus intralesional autologous platelet-rich plasma injection in alopecia areata. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery 2020;13(2):103-11. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Kar 2005 {published data only}
    1. Kar BR, Handa S, Dogra S, Kumar B. Placebo-controlled oral pulse prednisolone therapy in alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2005;52(2):287-90. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Khoury 1992 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Khoury EL, Price VH, Abdel Salim MM, Stern M, Greenspan JS. Topical minoxidil in alopecia areata: immunopathologic studies. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1988;90(4):575. - PubMed
    1. Khoury EL, Price VH, Abdel-Salam MM, Stern M, Greenspan JS. Topical minoxidil in alopecia areata: no effect on the perifollicular lymphoid infiltration. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1992;99(1):40-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Kianfar 2021 {published and unpublished data}
    1. IRCT20150923024147N1. Comparison of the Effectiveness of 308-nm Xenon Chloride Excimer Laser on the Treatment of Patchy Alopecia Areata [Comparison of the Effectiveness of 308-nm Xenon Chloride Excimer Laser on the Treatment of Patchy Alopecia Areata]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=IRCT20150923024147N1 (first received 4 February 2019).
    1. Kianfar N, Dasdar S, Mahmoudi H, Abedini R, Fahim S, Hosseini SA et al. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 308‐nm excimer laser with intralesional corticosteroids for the treatment of alopecia areata: A randomized controlled study. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 2021;54:502-10. [DOI: ] - PubMed
King 2022a {published and unpublished data}
    1. JapicCTI-184174. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, operationally seamless, adaptive phase 2/3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of baricitinib in adult patients with severe or very severe alopecia areata (BRAVE-AA1) (I4V-MC-JAHO). [A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Operationally Seamless, Adaptive Phase 2/3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Baricitinib in Adult Patients With Severe or Very Severe Alopecia Areata]. rctportal.niph.go.jp/s/detail/jp?trial_id=JapicCTI-184174 (first received 01 October 2018). [CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT03570749]
    1. King B, Kwon O, Mesinkovska N, Ko J, Dutronc Y, Wu W, et al. Efficacy and safety of baricitinib in adults with Alopecia Areata: Phase 3 results from a randomized controlled trial (BRAVE-AA1). Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2021;141(9):PB18. [DOI: ]
    1. King B, Ohyama M, Kwon O, Zlotogorski A, Ko J, Mesinkovska NA, et al for the BRAVE-AA Investigators. Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata. The New England Journal of Medicine 2022;386(18):1687-99. [DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2110343] - DOI - PubMed
King 2022b {published data only}
    1. King B, Ohyama M, Kwon O, Zlotogorski A, Ko J, Mesinkovska NA, et al for the BRAVE-AA Investigators. Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata. The New England Journal of Medicine 2022;386(18):1687-99. [DOI: DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2110343] - PubMed
Kuldeep 2011 {published data only}
    1. Kuldeep CM, Singhal H, Khare AK, Mittal A, Gupta LK, Garg A. Randomized comparison of topical betamethasone valerate foam, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and tacrolimus ointment in management of localized alopecia areata. International Journal of Trichology 2011;3(1):20-4. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Lai 2019 {published and unpublished data}
    1. ACTRN12618001084279. Cyclosporin for moderate to severe alopecia areata and tofacitinib extension [A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporin in subjects with moderate to severe alopecia areata with roll-over extension phase to evaluate efficacy of tofacitinib]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ACTRN12618001084279 (first received 12 November 2018).
    1. Lai V, Chen G, Gin D, Sinclair R. Cyclosporin for moderate to severe alopecia areata: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial of efficacy and safety. Australasian Journal of Dermatology 2019;60:56. - PubMed
    1. Lai V, Chen G, Gin D, Sinclair R. Health-related quality of life of patients with alopecia areata. Australasian Journal of Dermatology 2019;60:56. - PubMed
    1. Lai VWY, Chen G, Gin D, Sinclair R. Cyclosporine for moderate-to-severe alopecia areata: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of efficacy and safety. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2019;81(3):694‐701. [PMID: ] - PubMed
    1. Lai VWY, Chen G, Sinclair R. Impact of cyclosporin treatment on health-related quality of life of patients with alopecia areata. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2019;32(50):250-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Lenane 2014 {published data only}
    1. Lenane P, Macarthur C, Parkin PC, Krafchik B, DeGroot J, Khambalia A, et al. Clobetasol propionate, 0.05%, vs hydrocortisone, 1%, for alopecia areata in children: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatology 2014;150(1):47-50. [PMID: ] - PubMed
    1. NCT01453686. A trial of clobetasol propionate versus hydrocortisone in children with alopecia areata [A randomized controlled trial of clobetasol propionate 0.05% cream versus hydrocortisone 1% cream in children with alopecia areata]. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01453686 (first received 18 October 2011).
Lohrasb 2015 {published data only}
    1. Lohrasb MH, Gohdrat M, Meshkibaf MH. Therapeutic effects of topical minoxidil or rosemary and the combination of both on the treatment of alopecia areata. Journal of Fasa University of Medical Sciences 2015;4(4):475-84.
Luo 1991 {published data only}
    1. Luo HC, Chen LZ, Liu WZ. Topical application of minoxidil in treating alopecia areata---a randomized double-blind control study in 162 cases. Journal of Clinical Dermatology 1991;20(1):22-3.
Mancuso 2003 {published data only}
    1. Mancuso G, Balducci A, Casadio C, Farina P, Staffa M, Valenti L, et al. Efficacy of betamethasone valerate foam formulation in comparison with betamethasone dipropionate lotion in the treatment of mild-to-moderate alopecia areata: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, investigator-blinded trial. International Journal of Dermatology 2003;42(7):572-5. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Mikhaylov 2019 {published and unpublished data}
    1. Mikhaylov D, Pavel A, Yao C, Kimmel G, Nia J, Hashim P, et al. A randomized placebo-controlled single-center pilot study of the safety and efficacy of apremilast in subjects with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatological Research 2019;311(1):29-36. [PMID: ] - PubMed
    1. NCT02684123. Pilot study of the safety and efficacy of apremilast in subjects with moderate to severe alopecia areata [A randomized placebo-controlled single center pilot study of the safety and efficacy of apremilast in subjects with moderate to severe alopecia areata]. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02684123 (first received 17 February 2016).
Narahari 1996 {published data only}
    1. Narahari SR. Comparative efficacy of topical anthralin and intralesional triamcionolone in the treatment of alopecia areata. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprology 1996;62:348‐50. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Nouh 2022 {published data only}
    1. Nouh AH, Kadah AS, Said M. Comparative study of the use of fractional CO2 laser versusthe use of liquid nitrogen cryotherapy in the treatment ofalopecia areata in a sample of the Egyptian population. Dermatologic Therapy 2022;35:e15358. [DOI: ] - PubMed
Olsen 2019 {published data only}
    1. Olsen EA, Kornacki D, Sun K, Hordinsky MK. Ruxolitinib cream for the treatment of patients with alopecia areata: a 2-part, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled phase 2 study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2019;82(2):412-9. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Ozmen 2015 {published data only}
    1. Ozmen I, Caliskan E, Arca E, Acikgoz G, Koc E. Efficacy of aromatherapy in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: A double-blind placebo controlled study. Gulhane Tıp Derg 2015;57:233-6. [DOI: 10.5455/gulhane.38258] - DOI
Price 1987a {published data only}
    1. Price VH. Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of topical minoxidil in extensive alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1987;16(3 Pt 2):730-6. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Price 1987b {published data only}
    1. Price VH. Topical minoxidil (3%) in extensive alopecia areata, including long-term efficacy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1987;16(3 Pt 2):737-44. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Rajan 2021 {published data only}
    1. Rajan MB, Abhishek B, Saurabh S, Anil B, Anupama B, Prasanna T, et al. Identification of novel step-up regimen of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in scalp alopecia areata based on a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Dermatologic Therapy 2021;34(1):e14555. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Rashad 2022 {published data only}
    1. Rashad AF, Elgamal E, Fouda I. Intralesional vitamin D3 in treatment of alopecia areata: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;00:1-6. [DOI: ] - PubMed
Saif 2012 {published data only}
    1. Saif GAB, Al-Khawajah MM, Al-Otaibi HM, Al-Roujayee AS, Alzolibani AA, Kalantan HA, et al. Efficacy and safety of oral mega pulse methylprednisolone for severe therapy resistant alopecia areata. Saudi Medical Journal 2012;33(3):284‐91. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Sayed 2020 {published data only}
    1. Sayed DS, Allam AA, Abdel-Majid EM. Superficial cryotherapy versus topical psoralen and ultraviolet A in the treatment of alopecia areata: a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society 2020;17(2):98-103. [DOI: 10.4103/JEWD.JEWD_7_20] - DOI
Shapiro 1993 {published data only}
    1. Shapiro J, Tan J, Ho V, Abbott F, Tron V. Treatment of chronic severe alopecia areata with topical diphenylcyclopropenone and 5% minoxidil: a clinical and immunopathologic evaluation. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1993;29(5 Pt 1):729-35. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Sousa 2020 {published and unpublished data}
    1. RBR-5kyg2r. Effectiveness of betamethasone versus triamcinolone injection in the treatment of alopecia [Effectiveness of intralesional betametasone versus triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of alopecia areata]. trialsearch.who.int/?TrialID=RBR-5kyg2r (first received 25 May 2020).
    1. Sousa V, Arcanjo FP, Aguiar F, Vasconcelos J, Oliveira AF, Honorio A, et al. Intralesional betamethasone versus triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: a within-patient randomized controlled trial. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2020 Oct 19 [Epub ahead of print]. [DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1788703] - DOI - PubMed
Strober 2009 {published and unpublished data}
    1. NCT00167102. Alefacept in patients with severe scalp alopecia areata [A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multi-center study to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of intramuscular administration of alefacept in patients with chronic, severe scalp alopecia areata]. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00167102 (first received 14 September 2005).
    1. Strober BE, Menon K, McMichael A, Hordinsky M, Krueger G, Panko J, et al. Alefacept for severe alopecia areata: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Archives of Dermatology 2009;145(11):1262-6. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Tawfik 2022 {published data only}
    1. Tawfik AA, Mostafa I, Soliman M , Soliman M, Abdallah N. Low Level Laser versus Platelet-rich Plasma in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: A Randomized Controlled Intra-patient Comparative Study. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences 2022;10(b):420-427. [DOI: ]
Tiwary 2016 {published data only}
    1. Tiwary AK, Mishra DK, Chaudhary SS. Comparative study of efficacy and safety of topical squaric acid dibutylester and diphenylcyclopropenone for the treatment of alopecia areata. North American Journal of Medical Sciences 2016;8(6):237-42. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Toma 2022 {published data only}
    1. Toma DM, Atallah RB, Eldahshan RM. Comparative study between topical methotrexate 1% gel and minoxidil 5% gel in the treatment of localized alopecia areata. Dermatologic Therapy 2022;35(9):e15696. [DOI: ] - PubMed
Tosti 1986 {published data only}
    1. Tosti A, De Padova MP, Minghetti G, Veronesi S. Therapies versus placebo in the treatment of patchy alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1986;15(2 Pt 1):209-10. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Tosti 2006 {published data only}
    1. Tosti A, Iorizzo M, Botta GL, Milani M. Efficacy and safety of a new clobetasol propionate 0.05% foam in alopecia areata: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2006;20(10):1243-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Trink 2013 {published data only}
    1. Trink A, Sorbellini E, Bezzola P, Rodella L, Rezzani R, Ramot Y, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo and active-controlled, half-head study to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on alopecia areata. British Journal of Dermatology 2013;169(3):690-4. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Ucak 2012 {published data only}
    1. Ucak H, Kandi B, Cicek D, Halisdemir N, Dertlioglu SB. The comparison of treatment with clobetasol propionate 0.05% and topical pimecrolimus 1% treatment in the treatment of alopecia areata. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2012;23(6):410-20. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Ucak 2014 {published data only}
    1. Ucak H, Cicek D, Demir B, Erden I, Ozturk S. Prognostic factors that affect the response to topical treatment in patchy alopecia areata. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2014;28(1):34-40. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Ullah 2022 {published data only}
    1. Ullah F, Dawood M, Noor N, Hameed S. Efficacy of Topical Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% Ointment and TopicalTacrolimus 0.1% Ointment in Treatment of Alopecia Areata: RCT. Pakistan Journal of Medical & Health Sciences 2022;16(6):133-4. [DOI: ]
Ustuner 2017 {published data only}
    1. Ustuner P, Balevi A, Özdemir M. Best dilution of the best corticosteroid for intralesional injection in the treatment of localized alopecia areata in adults. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2017;28(8):753‐61. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Verma 2015 {published data only}
    1. Verma K, Gupta P, Khandpur S. Comparison of effectiveness of weekly azathioprine pulse (WAP) and betamethasone oral mini pulse (BOMP) in the treatment of moderate to severe alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2015;72(5 Suppl 1):AB112. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
White 1985 {published data only}
    1. White SI, Friedmann PS. Topical minoxidil lacks efficacy in alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology 1985;121(5):591. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Zaher 2014 {published data only}
    1. Zaher H, Gawdat HI, Hegazy RA, Hassan M. Bimatoprost versus mometasone furoate in the treatment of scalp alopecia areata: a pilot study. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 2014;230(4):308-13. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Zaib 2017 {published data only}
    1. Zaib, Rashid S, Jabeen R, Fraz AAK. Efficacy of topical 5% minoxodil solution in the treatment of alopecia areata. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 2017;11(2):795‐98.

References to studies excluded from this review

Avgerinou 2008 {published data only}
    1. Avgerinou G, Gregoriou S, Rigopoulos D, Stratigos A, Kalogeromitros D, Katsambas A. Alopecia areata: topical immunotherapy treatment with diphencyprone. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2008;22:320-3. [PMID: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2007.02411.x] - DOI - PubMed
Bautista 2010 {published data only}
    1. Bautista AFA, Ismael DK, Tan JB. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 5% garlic gel and clobetasol propionate ointment in the treatment of alopecia areata: an investigator-blinded randomized controlled trial: emerging technologies and therapies. Experimental Dermatology 2010;19(6):577. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2010.01097.x] - DOI
Bernardo 2003 {published data only}
    1. Bernardo O, Tang L, Lui H, Shapiro J. Topical nitrogen mustard in the treatment of alopecia areata: a bilateral comparison study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2003;49(2):291-4. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Choe 2017 {published data only}
    1. Choe SJ, Lee WS. Efficacy of superficial cryotherapy on the eyebrows of patients with alopecia universalis also treated with contact immunotherapy on the scalp: a prospective, split-face comparative study. International Journal of Dermatology 2017;56(2):184‐9. [PMID: 10.1111/ijd.13533] - DOI - PubMed
Cipriani 2001 {published data only}
    1. Cipriani R, Perini GI, Rampinelli S. Paroxetine in alopecia areata. International Journal of Dermatology 2001;40(9):600-1. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Cotellessa 2001 {published data only}
    1. Cotellessa C, Peris K, Caracciolo E, Mordenti C, Chimenti S. The use of topical diphenylcyclopropenone for the treatment of extensive alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2001;44(1):73-6. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Denli 1995 {published data only}
    1. Denli YG. PUVA treatment for alopecia areata. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 1995;5(Suppl 1):S178.
Ehsani 2009 {published data only}
    1. Ehsani AH, Toosi S, Seirafi H, Akhyani M, Hosseini M, Azadi R, et al. Capsaicin vs clobetasol for the treatment of localized alopecia areata. Journal European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2009;23:1445–69. [PMID: ] - PubMed
El‐Ashmawy 2018 {published data only}
    1. El-Ashmawy AA, El-Maadawy IH, El-Maghraby GM. Efficacy of topical latanoprost versus minoxidil and betamethasone valerate on the treatment of alopecia areata. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2018;29(1):55‐64. [PMID: ] - PubMed
El‐Mofty 2018 {published data only}
    1. El-Mofty M, Rasheed H, El-Eishy N, Hegazy RA, Hafez V, Shaker O, et al. A clinical and immunological study of phototoxic regimen of ultraviolet A for treatment of alopecia areata: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2018;30(6):582-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
El Taieb 2019 {published data only}
    1. El Taieb MA, Hegazy EM, Ibrahim HM, Osman AB, Abualhamd M. Topical calcipotriol vs narrowband ultraviolet B in treatment of alopecia areata: a randomized-controlled trial. Archives of Dermatological Research 2019;311(8):629‐36. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Farah 2016 {published data only}
    1. Farah RS, Junqueira Bertin AC, Guo H, Ericson ME, Hordinsky MK. Increased cutaneous stimulation is required for C-fiber sensory perception in alopecia areata: a double-blind study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2016;75(6):1265‐7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Giorgio 2020 {published data only}
    1. Giorgio CM, Babino G, Caccavale S, Russo T, De Rosa AB, Alfano R, et al. Combination of photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolaevulinic acid and microneedling in the treatment of alopecia areata resistant to conventional therapies: our experience with 41 patients. Clinical & Experimental Dermatology 2020;45(3):323-6. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Guttman‐Yassky 2018 {published data only}
    1. Guttman-Yassky E, Nia JK, Hashim PW, Mansouri Y, Alia E, Taliercio M, et al. Efficacy and safety of secukinumab treatment in adults with extensive alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatological Research 2018;310(8):607‐14. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Guttman‐Yassky 2018a {published data only}
    1. Guttman-Yassky E, Page K, Pavel AB, Diaz A, Estrada Y, Banerjee A, et al. Selective oral JAK3 and TYK2/JAK1 kinase inhibitors both demonstrate significant hair-growth compared to placebo and improvement of hair-associated keratins in patients with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata. Experimental Dermatology 2018;27:52‐3.
Guttman‐Yassky 2019 {published data only}
    1. Guttman-Yassky E, Pavel AB, Page K, Diaz A, Banerjee A, King B, et al. 544 Alopecia areata lesions show significant changes in immune and keratin biomarkers that correlate with clinical improvement with oral Janus kinase inhibitors PF-06651600 (JAK3) and PF-06700841 (TYK2/JAK1). Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2019;139(5 Suppl):S94. [DOI: 10.1016/J.JID.2019.03.620] - DOI
Jaiswal 2018 {published data only}
    1. CTRI/2015/11/006363. Comparison study of two treatment modalities i.e. calcipotriol ointment and calcipotriol ointment along with ultraviolet phototherapy in special kind of hair loss disorder called as alopecia areata [A randomised comparative study of topical calcipotriol (0.005%) vs topical calcipotriol (0.005%) along with NBUVB phototherapy in patients of alopecia areata]. www.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=CTRI/2015/11/006363 (first received 27 January 2021).
    1. Jaiswal C, Mehta HH, Barvaliya M. Effectiveness of topical calcipotriol (0.005%) ointment with or without narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy in patients with alopecia areata: a randomized evaluator-blinded placebo-controlled trial. Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society 2018;15(3):127‐32. [DOI: 10.1097/01.EWX.0000545039.61182.8b] - DOI
Jung 2017 {published data only}
    1. Jung KE, Gye JW, Park MK, Park BC. Comparison of the topical FK506 and clobetasol propionate as first-line therapy in the treatment of early alopecia areata. International Journal of Dermatology 2017;56(12):1487-8. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Kurosawa 2006 {published data only}
    1. Kurosawa M, Nakagawa S, Mizuashi M, Sasaki Y, Kawamura M, Saito M, et al. A comparison of the efficacy, relapse rate and side effects among three modalities of systemic corticosteroid therapy for alopecia areata. Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 2006;212(4):361‐65. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Lattouf 2015 {published data only}
    1. Lattouf C, Jimenez JJ, Tosti A, Miteva M, Wikramanayake TC, Kittles C, et al. Treatment of alopecia areata with simvastatin/ezetimibe. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2015;72(2):359-61. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Moosavi 2019 {published data only}
    1. Moosavi ZB, Aliabdi M, Golfakhrabadi F, Namjoyan F. The comparison of therapeutic effect of clobetasol propionate lotion and squill extract in alopecia areata: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Archives of Dermatological Research 2019;312(3):173-8. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Olsen 1992 {published data only}
    1. Olsen EA, Carson SC, Turney EA. Systemic steroids with or without 2% topical minoxidil in the treatment of alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology 1992;128(11):1467-73. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Ross 2005 {published data only}
    1. Ross EK, Bolduc C, Lui H, Shapiro J. Lack of efficacy of topical latanoprost in the treatment of eyebrow alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2005;53(6):1095-96. [PMID: ] - PubMed

References to studies awaiting assessment

CTRI/2018/07/014701 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTRI/2018/07/014701. To compare the effectiveness of giving triamcinolone acetonide in the lesion through injection and through microneedling in patients of alopecia areata [Comparative efficacy of injection triamcinolone acetonide intralesionally and through microneedling in alopecia areata]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=CTRI/2018/07/014701 (first received 2 July 2018).
CTRI/2018/10/015870 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTRI/2018/10/015870. A study to compare topical therapy (DPCP) in alopecia areata versus oral steroids [Randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of low dose dexamethasone pulse versus contact sensititation with diphenylcyclopropenone in stable/non progressive alopecia areata in children]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=CTRI/2018/10/015870 (first received 1 October 2018).
IRCT20211109053013N1 {unpublished data only}
    1. IRCT20211109053013N1. Comparing the efficacy, complications and satisfaction of patients with alopecia areata limited head in a multigroup study with latanopprost eye drops, minoxidil and betamethasone [Comparing the efficacy, complications and satisfaction of patients with alopecia areata limited head in a multigroup study with latanopprost eye drops, minoxidil and betamethasone]. fa.irct.ir/trial/59903 (first received 21 December 2021).
NCT02037191 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT02037191. The efficiency of the methotrexate at patients affected by grave pelade [Randomized double-blind studymulticentrique testing the efficiency of the methotrexate at patients affected by grave pelade (methotrexate versus placebo with secondary treatment by methotrexate and prednisone)]. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT02037191 (first received 15 January 2014).
NCT03535233 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT03535233. Topical 5% minoxidil and potent topical corticosteroid versus intralesional corticosteroid in the treatment of alopecia areata [Combined topical 5% minoxidil and potent topical corticosteroid versus intralesional corticosteroid in the treatment of alopecia areata a randomized controlled trial]. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03535233 (first received 24 May 2018).
NCT05251831 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT05251831. Comparative Study Efficacy and Safety of of Activated Versus Non-Activated PRP [Evaluation of Activated Platelet Rich Plasma Versus Non-Activated Platelet Rich Plasma in Alopecia Areata]. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05251831 (first received 23 February 2022).
TCTR20210521008 {unpublished data only}
    1. TCTR20210521008. Topical diphenylcyclopropenone plus topical 0.5% anthralin versus topical diphenylcyclopropenone alone for treatment of chronic extensive alopecia areata: a spilt-scalp double-blind controlled study. trialsearch.who.int/?TrialID=TCTR20210521008 (first received 21 May 2021).

References to ongoing studies

CTRI/2013/08/003880 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTRI/2013/08/003880. Comparing three different modalities in patchy hair loss [Comparative study of the safety and efficacy of intralesional steroid, tacrolimuns (0.1%) ointment and minoxidil (5%) in the treatment of alopecia areata]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=CTRI/2013/08/003880 (first received 8 June 2013).
CTRI/2018/02/012046 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTRI/2018/02/012046. A study to compare the efficacy of two different procedural treatments of patchy hair loss [Randomized control study of platelet rich plasma versus intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in moderate to severe alopecia areata]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=CTRI/2018/02/012046 (first received 21 February 2018).
CTRI/2019/02/017483 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTRI/2019/02/017483. A study to compare effect of three common locally applied medicines in alopecia areata (a disease causing patchy hair loss) of scalp [A randomized pilot study comparing efficacy of topical 0.03% bimatoprost, 0.1% mometasone furoate and 0.1 % tacrolimus ointment in the treatment of localized alopecia areata of scalp]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=CTRI/2019/02/017483 (first received 5 February 2019).
CTRI/2021/03/031963 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTRI/2021/03/031963. Microneedling with topical autologous platelet rich plasma versus intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in alopecia areata [Comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety of combination of microneedling with topical autologous platelet rich plasma versus triamcinolone acetonide in alopecia areata]. ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=53489 (first received 15 March 2021).
CTRI/2022/03/040829 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTRI202203040829. COMPARING LASER WITH STEROID INJECTION IN ALOPECIA AREATA [FRACTIONAL CARBONDIOXIDE LASER WITH TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROID VS INTRALESIONAL CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION IN TREATMENT OF ALOPECIA AREATA]. ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=62758 (first received 04 March 2022).
CTRI/2022/04/041728 {unpublished data only}
    1. CTRI/2022/04/041728. Use of various topical ointments for the treatment of localized hair loss [Comparision of saftey and efficacy of Mometasone 0.1% cream, Calcipotriol 0.005% ointment and topical Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment; in patients with localized alopecia areata, a triple arm randomized control trial]. ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?trialid=66367 (first received 08 April 2022).
IRCT20100314003566N10 {unpublished data only}
    1. IRCT20100314003566N10. Triamcinolone acetonid in alopecia areata [Comparative efficacy of different concentrations of triamcinolone acetonid in alopecia areata]. trialsearch.who.int/?TrialID=IRCT20100314003566N10 (first received 4 March 2020).
IRCT20141209020250N5 {unpublished data only}
    1. IRCT20141209020250N. The comparison of two regimens of diphencyprone in alopecia areata patients [Evaluation and comparison of the efficacy and safety of two regimens of diphencyclopropenone (applying different concentrations to identify the effective concentration vs. traditional method) in the treatment of alopecia areata in patients referred to Razi Hospital]. who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=IRCT20141209020250N5 (first received 24 November 2019).
IRCT20200130046311N1 {unpublished data only}
    1. IRCT20200130046311N1. Comparison of the effect of diphenciprone alone and diphenciprone with intralesional injection of platelet-rich plasma in alopecia areata [Comparative evaluation of the response rate based on tricoscopic criteria in patients with severe alopecia areata treated with diphencyprone with or without intralesional platelet rich plasma]. trialsearch.who.int/?TrialID=IRCT20200130046311N1 (first received 13 April 2021).
ISRCTN14007390 {unpublished data only}
    1. ISRCTN14007390. STS-01 for the treatment of alopecia areata [A double-blind, multi-site, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design to assess the efficacy, safety and dose-response characterisation of STS-01 for the treatment of alopecia areata]. isrctn.com/ISRCTN14007390 (first received 19 March 2022).
KCT0006802 {unpublished data only}
    1. KCT0006802. A study on an effective protocol for cryotherapy in Alopecia areata [A study on an effective protocol for cryotherapy in Alopecia areata]. trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=KCT0006802 (first received 12 December 2021).
NCT03473600 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT03473600. Cryotherapy versus steroids in alopecia areata: trichoscopic evaluation [Cryotherapy versus intralesional corticosteroid injection In treatment of alopecia areata: trichoscopic evaluation]. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03473600 (first received November 2018).
NCT04412148 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT04412148. Modified SALT score for alopecia areata [Modified SALT score for assessment of alopecia areata]. clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04412148 (first received 2 June 2020).
NCT04660786 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT04660786. Intralesional vitamin D in alopecia areata [Intralesional vitamin D3 injection in treatment of alopecia areata: a novel approach]. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04660786 (first received 1 December 2020).
NCT04793945 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT04793945. Excimer light and topical steroid in treatment of alopecia areata [The efficacy of combining 308 nm-excimer light and topical steroid in the treatment of alopecia areata]. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04793945 (first received 1 April 2020).
NCT05414266 {unpublished data only}
    1. NCT05414266. Study Evaluating Efficacy of Topical Squaric Acid Dibutyl Ester in Children and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata [Study Evaluating Efficacy of Topical Squaric Acid Dibutyl Ester in Children and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata]. clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05414266 (first received 10 June 2022).

Additional references

Al‐Mutairi 2007
    1. Al-Mutairi N. 308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of alopecia areata. Dermatologic Surgery 2007;33(12):1483-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Alsantali 2011
    1. Alsantali A. Alopecia areata: a new treatment plan. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2011;4:107-15. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Begg 1994
    1. Begg CB, Mazumdar M. Operating characteristics of a rank correlation test for publication bias. Biometrics 1994;50(4):1088-101. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Bernardis 2018
    1. Bernardis E, Castelo-Soccio L. Quantifying alopecia areata via texture analysis to automate the SALT score computation. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2018;19(1):S34-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jisp.2017.10.010] - DOI - PubMed
Chaimani 2013
    1. Chaimani A, Higgins JP, Mavridis D, Spyridonos P, Salanti G. Graphical tools for network meta-analysis in STATA. PLOS ONE 2013;8(10):e76654. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Choi 2018
    1. Choi HI, Kang BM, Jang J, Hwang ST, Kwon O. Novel effect of sildenafil on hair growth. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2018;505(3):685-91. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Chren 2012
    1. Chren MM. The Skindex instruments to measure the effects of skin disease on quality of life. Dermatologic Clinics 2012;30(2):231-6, xiii. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Cochrane Skin Specialised Register 2021
    1. Cochrane Skin. More about the Cochrane Skin Specialised Register. skin.cochrane.org/search-methods (accessed 11 November 2021).
Conic 2017
    1. Conic RZ, Miller R, Piliang M, Bergfeld W, Mesinkovska AN. Comorbidities in patients with alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2017;76(4):755-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Delamere 2008
    1. Delamere FM, Sladden MJ, Dobbins HM, Leonardi-Bee J. Interventions for alopecia areata. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No: CD004413. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004413.pub2] - DOI - PubMed
DerSimonian 1986
    1. DerSimonian R, Laird N. Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Controlled Clinical Trials 1986;7:177-188. - PubMed
Fabbrocini 2013
    1. Fabbrocini G, Panariello L, De Vita V, Vincenzi C, Lauro C, Nappo D, et al. Quality of life in alopecia areata: a disease-specific questionnaire. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV 2013;27(3):e276-81. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Farshi 2010
    1. Farshi S, Mansouri P, Safar F, Khiabanloo SR. Could azathioprine be considered as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of alopecia areata? A pilot study. International Journal of Dermatology 2010;49(10):1188-93. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Ferreira 2016
    1. Ferreira SB, Scheinberg M, Steiner D, Steiner T, Bedin GL, Ferreira RB. Remarkable improvement of nail changes in alopecia areata universalis with 10 months of treatment with tofacitinib: a case report. Case Reports in Dermatology 2016;8(3):262-6. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Fiedler‐Weiss 1987
    1. Fiedler-Weiss VC. Topical minoxidil solution (1% and 5%) in the treatment of alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1987;16(3 Pt 2):745-8. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Finlay 1994
    1. Finlay AY, Khan GK. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)--a simple practical measure for routine clinical use. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 1994;19(3):210-6. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Freire 2019
    1. Freire PCB, Riera R, Martimbianco ALC, Petri V, Atallah AN. Minoxidil for patchy alopecia areata: systematic review and meta-analysis. European Academy of Dermatology and Veneorology 2019;33:1792-9. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Fuentes‐Duculan 2016
    1. Fuentes-Duculan J, Gulati N, Bonifacio KM, Kunjravia N, Zheng X, Suarez-Farias M, et al. Biomarkers of alopecia areata disease activity and response to corticosteroid treatment. Experimental Dermatology 2016;25(4):282-6. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Fukumoto 2021
    1. Fukumoto T, Fukumoto R, Magno E, Oka M, Nishigori C, Horita N. Treatments for alopecia areata: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Dermatologic Therapy 2021;34:e14916. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Gilhar 2012
    1. Gilhar A, Etzioni A, Paus R. Alopecia areata. New England Journal of Medicine 2012;366(16):1515-25. [PMID: ] - PubMed
GRADEpro GDT [Computer program]
    1. GRADEpro GDT: GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool [Software]. McMaster University, 2020 (developed by Evidence Prime, Inc.). Available from gradepro.org.. McMaster University, 2020.
Gupta 2017
    1. Gupta AK, Carviel J, Abramovits W. Treating alopecia areata: current practices versus new directions. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology 2017;18(1):67-75. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Gupta 2019
    1. Gupta KA, Carviel JL, Foley KA, Shear NH, Piraccini BM, Piguet V et al. Monotherapy for alopecia areata: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Skin Appendage Disorders 2019;5:331-7. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Hammerschmidt 2014
    1. Hammerschmidt M, Brenner FM. Efficacy and safety of methotrexate in alopecia areata. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2014;89(5):729-34. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Higgins 2019a
    1. Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, et al (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 6.2 (updated February 2021). Cochrane, 2021. Available from www.training.cochrane.org/handbook.
Higgins 2019b
    1. Higgins JPT, Savović J, Page MJ, Elbers RG, Sterne JAC. Chapter 8: Assessing risk of bias in a randomized trial. In: Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 6.2 (updated February 2021). Cochrane, 2021. Available from www.training.cochrane.org/handbook.
Higgins 2019c
    1. Higgins JP, Eldridge S, Li T (editors). Chapter 23: Including variants on randomized trials. In: Higgins JP, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 6.2 (updated February 2021). Cochrane, 2021. Available from www.training.cochrane.org/handbook.
Higgins 2019d
    1. Higgins JPT, Li T, Deeks JJ (editors). Chapter 6: Choosing effect measures and computing estimates of effect. In: Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions version 6.2 (updated February 2021). Cochrane, 2021. Available from www.training.cochrane.org/handbook..
Hosking 2018
    1. Hosking AM, Juhasz M, Mesinkovska NA. Topical Janus kinase inhibitors: a review of applications in dermatology. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2018;79(3):535-44. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Hunt 2005
    1. Hunt N, McHale S. The psychological impact of alopecia. BMJ 2005;331(7522):951-3. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Husein‐ElAhmed 2021
    1. Husein-ElAhmed H, Steinhoff M. Efficacy and predictive factors of cyclosporine A in alopecia areata: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Dermatologic Treatment 2021;26:1-9. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Islam 2015
    1. Islam N, Leung PS, Huntley AC, Gershwin ME. The autoimmune basis of alopecia areata: a comprehensive review. Autoimmunity Reviews 2015;14(2):81-9. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Jang 2017
    1. Jang YH, Jung HJ, Moon SY, Lee WJ, Lee SJ, Lee WK, et al. Systematic review and quality analysis of studies on the efficacy of topical diphenylcyclopropenone treatment for alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2017;77(1):170-172.e1. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Juarez‐Rendon 2017
    1. Juarez-Rendon KJ, Rivera Sanchez G, Reyes-Lopez MA, Garcia-Ortiz JE, Bocanegra-Garcia V, Guardiola-Avila I, et al. Alopecia areata. Current situation and perspectives. Archivos Argentinos de Pediatría 2017;115(6):e404-11. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Jun 2017
    1. Jun M, Lee NR, Lee WS. Efficacy and safety of superficial cryotherapy for alopecia areata: a retrospective, comprehensive review of 353 cases over 22 years. Journal of Dermatology 2017;44(4):386-93. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Kassim 2014
    1. Kassim JM, Shipman AR, Szczecinska W, Siah TW, Lam M, Chalmers J, et al. How effective is intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide compared with topical treatments in inducing and maintaining hair growth in patients with alopecia areata? A critically appraised topic. British Journal of Dermatology 2014;170(4):766-71. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Korta 2018
    1. Korta DZ, Christiano AM, Bergfeld W, Duvic M, Ellison A, Fu J, et al. Alopecia areata is a medical disease. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2018;78(4):832-4. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Kostovic 2017
    1. Kostovic K, Gulin SJ, Mokos ZB, Ceovic R. Tofacitinib, an oral janus kinase inhibitor: perspectives in dermatology. Current Medicinal Chemistry 2017;24(11):1158-67. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Kurosawa 2006
    1. Kurosawa M, Nakagawa S, Mizuashi M, Sasaki Y, Kawamura M, Saito M, et al. A comparison of the efficacy, relapse rate and side effects among three modalities of systemic corticosteroid therapy for alopecia areata. Dermatology: International Journal for Clinical and Investigative Dermatology 2006;212(4):361-5. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Lee 2017
    1. Lee S, Lee WS. Management of alopecia areata: updates and algorithmic approach. Journal of Dermatology 2017;44(11):1199-211. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Lee 2019
    1. Lee S, Lee H, Lee CH, Lee WS. Comorbidities in alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2019;80(2):466-477.e16. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Lee 2020
    1. Lee HH, Gwillim E, Patel KR, Hua T, Rastogi S, Ibler E, Silverberg JI. Epidemiology of alopecia areata, ophiasis, totalis, and universalis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2020;82(3):675-682. - PubMed
Liu 2018
    1. Liu LY, King BA. Tofacitinib for the treatment of severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings 2018;19(1):S18-s20. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Macbeth 2017
    1. Macbeth AE, Tomlinson J, Messenger AG, Moore-Millar K, Michaelides C, Shipman AR, et al. Establishing and prioritizing research questions for the treatment of alopecia areata: the Alopecia Areata Priority Setting Partnership. British Journal of Dermatology 2017;176(5):1316-20. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Maitland 1984
    1. Maitland JM, Aldridge RD, Main RA, White MI, Ormerod AD. Topical minoxidil in the treatment of alopecia areata. BMJ 1984;288(6419):794. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Mantel 1959
    1. Mantel N, Haenszel W. Statistical aspects of the analysis of data from retrospective studies of disease. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1959;22(4):719-48. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Matsuda 2000
    1. Matsuda S, Koyasu S. Mechanisms of action of cyclosporine. Immunopharmacology 2000;47(2-3):119-25. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Mirzoyev 2014
    1. Mirzoyev SA, Schrum AG, Davis MDP, Torgerson RR. Lifetime incidence risk of alopecia areata estimated at 2.1% by Rochester Epidemiology Project, 1990-2009. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2014;134(4):1141-2. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Murad 2018
    1. Murad A, Bergfeld W. Treatment for facial alopecia areata: a systematic review with evidence-based analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2018;78(3):601-5. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Olsen 2004
    1. Olsen EA, Hordinsky MK, Price VH, Roberts JL, Shapiro J, Canfield D, et al. Alopecia areata investigational assessment guidelines--part II. National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2004;51(3):440-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Olsen 2018
    1. Olsen EA, Roberts J, Sperling L, Tosti A, Shapiro J, McMichael A, et al. Objective outcome measures: collecting meaningful data on alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2018;79(3):470-478.e3. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Ouzzani 2016
    1. Ouzzani M, Hammady M, Fedorowicz Z, Elmagarmid A ​​​​. Rayyan - a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews 2016;5(1):210. [DOI: 10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4] - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Paus 2018
    1. Paus R, Bulfone-Paus S, Bertolini M. Hair follicle immune privilege revisited: the key to alopecia areata management. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings 2018;19(1):S12-s17. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Peloquin 2017
    1. Peloquin L, Castelo-Soccio L. Alopecia areata: an update on treatment options for children. Paediatric Drugs 2017;19(5):411-22. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Perera 2015
    1. Perera E, Yip L, Sinclair R. Alopecia areata. Current Problems in Dermatology 2015;47:67-75. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Pratt 2017
    1. Pratt CH, King LE, Messenger AG, Christiano AM, Sundberg JP. Alopecia areata. Nature Reviews Disease Primers 2017;3:17011. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Price 2005
    1. Price VH, Willey A, Chen BK. Topical tacrolimus in alopecia areata. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2005;52(1):138-9. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Rencz 2016
    1. Rencz F, Gulacsi L, Pentek M, Wikonkal N, Baji P, Brodszky V. Alopecia areata and health-related quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Dermatology 2016;175(3):561-71. [PMID: ] - PubMed
RevMan Web 2019 [Computer program]
    1. Review Manager Web (RevMan Web). The Cochrane Collaboration, 2019. Available at revman.cochrane.org.
Safavi 1992
    1. Safavi K. Prevalence of alopecia areata in the first national health and nutrition examination survey. Archives of Dermatology 1992;128(5):702. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Safavi 1995
    1. Safavi KH, Muller SA, Suman VJ, Moshell AN, Melton LJ. Incidence of alopecia areata in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1975 through 1989. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 1995;70(7):628-33. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Salanti 2011
    1. Salanti G, Ades AE, Ioannidis JP. Graphical methods and numerical summaries for presenting results from multiple-treatment meta-analysis: an overview and tutorial. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 2011;64(2):163-71. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Schwartz 2017
    1. Schwartz DM, Kanno Y, Villarino A, Ward M, Gadina M, O'Shea JJ. JAK inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for immune and inflammatory diseases. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2017;17(1):78. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Schünemann 2013
    1. Schünemann H, Brożek J, Guyatt G, Oxman A, editors. GRADE handbook for grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendations. Updated October 2013. gdt.gradepro.org/app/handbook/handbook.html (accessed prior to 26 March 2019).
Shim 2017
    1. Shim S, Yoon BH, Shin IS, Bae JM. Network meta-analysis: application and practice using Stata. Epidemiology and Health 2017;39:e2017047. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Spano 2015
    1. Spano F, Donovan JC. Alopecia areata: part 1: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis. Canadian Family Physician 2015;61(9):751-5. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Stata 2017 [Computer program]
    1. Stata. Version 15. College Station, TX, USA: StataCorp, 2017. Available at www.stata.com.
Sterne 2011
    1. Sterne JA, Sutton AJ, Ioannidis JP, Terrin N, Jones DR, Lau J, et al. Recommendations for examining and interpreting funnel plot asymmetry in meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials. BMJ 2011;343:d4002. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Sterne 2019
    1. Sterne JAC, Savovic J, Page MJ, Elbers RG, Blencowe NS, Boutron I, et al. RoB 2: a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. BMJ 2019;366:l4898. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Strazzulla 2018a
    1. Strazzulla LC, Wang EH, Avila L, Lo Sicco K, Brinster N, Christiano AM, et al. Alopecia areata: an appraisal of new treatment approaches and overview of current therapies. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2018;78(1):15-24. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Strazzulla 2018b
    1. Strazzulla LC, Wang EH, Avila L, Lo Sicco K, Brinster N, Christiano AM, et al. Alopecia areata: disease characteristics, clinical evaluation, and new perspectives on pathogenesis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2018;78(1):1-12. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Sutherland 2015
    1. Sutherland L, Laschinger M, Syed ZU, Gaspari A. Treatment of alopecia areata with topical sensitizers. Dermatitis 2015;26(1):26-31. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Tosti 2006
    1. Tosti A, Bellavista S, Iorizzo M. Alopecia areata: a long term follow-up study of 191 patients. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2006;55(3):438-41. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Villasante 2015
    1. Villasante Fricke AC, Miteva M. Epidemiology and burden of alopecia areata: a systematic review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2015;8:397-403. [PMID: ] - PMC - PubMed
Waiz 2006
    1. Waiz M, Saleh AZ, Hayani R, Jubory SO. Use of the pulsed infrared diode laser (904 nm) in the treatment of alopecia areata. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy 2006;8(1):27-30. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Waśkiel‐Burnat 2021
    1. Waśkiel-Burnat, A, Osińska, M, Salińska, A, Blicharz, L, Goldust, M, Olszewska, M, & Rudnicka, L. The role of serum Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in patients with alopecia areata: clinical implications. Cells 2021;10(12):3397. [DOI: 10.3390/cells10123397] [PMID: ] - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Whitmont 2003
    1. Whitmont KJ, Cooper AJ. PUVA treatment of alopecia areata totalis and universalis: a retrospective study. Australasian Journal of Dermatology 2003;44(2):106-9. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Wu 2018
    1. Wu XJ, Jing J, Lu ZF, Zheng M. Expression and localization of VEGFR-2 in hair follicles during induced hair growth in mice. Archives of Dermatological Research 2018;310(7):591-8. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Yee 2020
    1. Yee BE, Tong Y, Goldenberg A, Hatta A. Efficacy of different concentrations of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2020;82:1018-21. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Yoo 2010
    1. Yoo KH, Kim MN, Kim BJ, Kim CW. Treatment of alopecia areata with fractional photothermolysis laser. International Journal of Dermatology 2010;49(7):845-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Yoshimasu 2016
    1. Yoshimasu T, Furukawa F. Modified immunotherapy for alopecia areata. Autoimmunity Reviews 2016;15(7):664-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed
Yu 2021
    1. Yu D-A, Kim YE, Kwon O, Park H. Treatment outcome of oral tofacitinib and ruxolitinib in patients with alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology 2021;87:621-7. [PMID: ] - PubMed

References to other published versions of this review

Novoa‐Candia 2020
    1. Novoa-Candia M, Sánchez Vanegas G, Arevalo-Rodriguez I, Vaño-Galván S, Urueña Rodriguez MG, Giraldo L, et al. Treatments for alopecia areata: a network meta‐analysis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue 9. Art. No: CD013719. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013719] - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Supplementary concepts

LinkOut - more resources