High-dose pulse corticosteroid therapy in the treatment of severe alopecia areata.
OBJECTIVE
The present monocenter prospective study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy in patients with severe alopecia areata (AA).


METHODS
30 patients (aged 14-56 years) were treated with methylprednisolone (8 mg/kg body weight) intravenously on 3 consecutive days at 4-week intervals for at least 3 courses.


RESULTS
67% of patients with AA plurifocalis showed >50% regrowth of hair. None of the patients with AA totalis or universalis and only 1 patient with ophiasic AA responded to therapy. In patients with AA plurifocalis, higher response rates could be observed in those suffering from long-term disease compared to patients treated during their first episodes of AA (73 vs. 57%).


CONCLUSIONS
High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with severe AA plurifocalis but might be less beneficial for patients with ophasic AA, AA totalis or universalis.
Seiter
S
S
Department of Dermatology, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Ugurel
S
S
Tilgen
W
W
Reinhold
U
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone