Pulse methylprednisolone therapy for the treatment of extensive alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND

Since the mainstay of pathogenesis depends on autoimmune process, systemic steroids are widely used in the treatment of alopecia with various side effects. To avoid side effects of long-term steroid treatment, pulse methylprednisolone therapy appears to be a safe treatment option.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to determine the effect of pulse methylprednisolone therapy for the treatment of adult alopecia areata.

METHODS

Demographical features of all patients were recorded before the treatment. Patients received methylprednisolone 500 mg intravenously for 3 consecutive days every month for 3 months. Patients were followed up for 3 months. Treatment responses were defined by complete regrowth (100%), significant regrowth (>50%) and minimal regrowth (<50%).

RESULTS

Totally 15 patients were enrolled in this study. At the end of the study, two patients had significant regrowth and one patient had minimal regrowth in multifocal alopecia areata (n = 4); one patient had significant regrowth and one patient had minimal regrowth in alopecia universalis (n = 8); three patients had no regrowth in alopecia totalis (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that pulse methylprednisolone therapy might be a therapeutic option for severe multifocal alopecia areata. However, in alopecia totalis or universalis, treatment results are unsatisfactory.