title: High-dose intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy in alopecia areata: own experience compared with the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Seven prospective studies including 193 patients have been published on high-dose intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy in alopecia areata (AA). We compare these data with a retrospective analysis of our own consecutive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1998 and 2002,25 patients with severe AA were treated at the Department of Dermatology, University of Bern, with infusions of 500 mg methylprednisolone on 3 consecutive days. In addition to the inpatient records, in 2004 all patients were followed up by a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four of 10 patients with multifocal AA and 3 of 9 patients with ophiasis-type AA had full re-growth of hair, whereas all 6 patients with AA totalis/universalis failed to respond.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy may be helpful in the treatment of multifocal and ophiasis-type AA. Patients with an initial episode of short duration have better chances for success.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luggen
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hunziker
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020551:Pulse Therapy, Drug / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone