title: Clobetasol propionate 0.05% under occlusion in the treatment of alopecia totalis/universalis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Efficacy of topical steroids in alopecia areata is still discussed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment under occlusion in 28 patients with alopecia areata totalis (AT) or AT/alopecia universalis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 28 patients were instructed to apply 2.5 g of clobetasol propionate to the right side of the scalp every night under occlusion with a plastic film. Treatment was performed 6 days a week for 6 months. When regrowth of terminal hair occurred, treatment was extended over the entire scalp. All patients were followed up for another 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 28 patients included in the study, 8 were treated successfully (28.5%). Regrowth of terminal hair began on the treated side 6 to 14 weeks after the start of treatment. Of these 8 patients, 3 had a relapse and were not able to maintain hair regrowth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study shows that clobetasol propionate 0.05% under occlusion is effective in inducing hair regrowth in patients with AT or AT/alopecia universalis. Occurrence of hair regrowth only on the treated half of the scalp clearly shows that efficacy of treatment is a result of a local and not systemic effect of the drug. Although only 17.8% of patients had long-term benefit by treatment, our results were obtained in a population of patients with severe and refractory forms of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Bologna, Italy. tosti@almadns.unibo.it
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tosti
authors.forename: Bianca Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Piraccini
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pazzaglia
authors.forename: Colombina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009824:Ointments; D002990:Clobetasol