title: Twice weekly 5 mg dexamethasone oral pulse in the treatment of extensive alopecia areata.
abstract: Thirty patients (20 males, 10 females) with widespread alopecia areata (25 extensive alopecia areata, 5 alopecia areata) for a mean period of 4.2 years were included in the study. All patients above 12 years were administered 5 mg dexamethasone oral pulse on two consecutive days every week. Three children (< 12 years) received 2.5 mg to 3.5 mg dexamethasone oral biweekly pulse. Patients who had received treatment for a minimum period of 12 weeks were evaluated for terminal hair growth. Complete to excellent (75-95%) hair growth was observed in 16 (63.3%) patients. Growth was good (50-74%) in 2 cases and poor (< 50%) in 3 (10%) cases. Six (20%) patients has no growth of terminal hair. Complete to excellent growth of hair was obtained after a mean period of 5.35 months (range 3-10 months). Relapse occurred in one case each after three and six months but hair regrew with re-treatment. Side effects of corticosteriods were frequent, seen in 8 (26.6%) patients, but were mild. In only one case, treatment had to be discontinued. We propose that twice weekly 5 mg dexamethasone oral pulse for six months may be considered as one of the modalities in the treatment of extensive long standing alopecia areata.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone