title: Lichen planopilaris treated with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist.
abstract: Primary cicatricial alopecias (PCAs), rare disorders that lead to permanent hair loss, have been poorly understood and are difficult to treat. Lichen planopilaris (LPP)is a prototypical PCA; patients often present with sudden onset of hair loss and clinically significant symptoms of itching, burning, and pain of the scalp. Examination reveals patchy alopecia or a more diffuse thinning of the scalp with characteristic perifollicular erythema and perifollicular scale at the margins of the areas of alopecia.Treatment typically includes use of antiinflammatory medications; although symptoms may improve,hair loss is often progressive.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dermatology, The Permanente Medical Group, Vallejo, California, USA. Paradi.Mirmirani@kp.org
authors.forename: Paradi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirmirani
authors.forename: Pratima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karnik
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists*; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077205:Pioglitazone