An uncontrolled, open label study of sulfasalazine in severe alopecia areata.
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease mediated by T lymphocytes. Many treatments have been used but their results remain disappointing. There is a need to propose new therapeutic alternatives.


METHODS
During a period of 3 years, 26 patients with recalcitrant or severe AA (>40% hair loss) were enrolled in an open-label uncontrolled clinical trial. According to the response to sulfasalazine, patients were grouped into 3 categories: no hair regrowth (< 10% terminal hair), partial hair regrowth (10%-90% terminal hair), and complete hair regrowth (90%-100% terminal hair). Efficacy evaluation was performed with clinical examination.


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients completed the treatment. Overall, 68.2% (15 of 22 patients) responded to therapy: 27.3% (6 of 22 patients) achieved complete hair regrowth, and 40.9% had partial hair regrowth. Seven (31.8%) patients had no hair regrowth. Of the 22 patients with complete and partial remission, 10 (45.5%) suffered a partial or complete relapse. Side effects following treatment were seen in 7 (31.8%) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Sulfasalazine could be considered as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of AA, because of its safety profile, cosmetically acceptable efficacy, and good tolerability.
Aghaei
Shahin
S
Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran. shahinaghaei@yahoo.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D012460:Sulfasalazine