title: [Alopecia areata secondary to the use of leflunomide in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report and literature review].
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, highly disabling autoimmune disease that requires aggressive pharmacological treatment using immunomodulatory drugs grouped under the name of Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). Leflunomide is one of the most frequently prescribed. This drug, through its mechanism of action is able to suppress key factors in the disease process. However, its use is not without side effects. While there are series that report that the most prevalent adverse effects are diarrhea, nausea, rash and alopecia, there are few reported cases of alopecia universalis secondary to the use of leflunomide. We present a case in the Regional Hospital of Talca and a review of the use of leflunomide.
authors.affiliation: Facultad Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile. Address: Avenida San Miguel 3605, Talca, Región del Maule, Chile. Email: mignaciamolina@gmail.com.
authors.forename: María Ignacia
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Molina Molina
authors.affiliation: Hospital Regional de Talca, Región del Maule, Chile.
authors.forename: Carmen María
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pinochet Paiva
authors.affiliation: Facultad Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.
authors.forename: José Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Quezada Morales
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000139:chemically induced*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077339:Leflunomide
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000077339:Leflunomide
keywords: alopecia areata; alopecia universalis; leflunomide; rheumatoid arthritis