title: Topical Calcipotriol Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alopecia areata (AA) is considered a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease characterized by patchy loss of hair from scalp and other body parts with no definitive treatment. Calcipotriol is a vitamin D analogue and a potent immunomodulatuary molecule. In recent studies, low serum vitamin D levels have been observed in patients with AA and various autoimmune diseases. Previous reports have also described the effects of vitamin D on hair follicles.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical calcipotriol for the treatment of mild-to-moderate patchy AA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight patients with mild-to-moderate AA were enrolled in the retrospective, 12-week trial. Calcipotriol cream was applied to the affected areas twice a day. Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score and hair regrowth rate were calculated at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At week 12, the total response was achieved in 69.2% of patients. When the mean SALT score of patients at week 12 was compared to that of patients at baseline, the value at week 12 was significantly lower (P= 0.001). A regrowth score (RGS) ≥ 3 (hair regrowth of ≥ 50%) was observed in 75% of patients, whereas a RGS ≥ 4 (hair regrowth of ≥ 75%) was observed in 62.5% of patients and the complete regrowth rate (hair regrowth= 100%) was 27.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcipotriol may serve as a safe and effective treatment option in mild-to-moderate patchy AA, and calls for more extensive controlled studies with this treatment.
authors.forename: Aslı Aksu
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Çerman
authors.forename: Sezgi Sarıkaya
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Solak
authors.forename: İlknur
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Altunay
authors.forename: Nihal Aslı
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Küçükünal
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; C055085:calcipotriene; D002117:Calcitriol