Understanding patient experiences with scarring alopecia: a qualitative study with management implications.
BACKGROUND
Alopecia can have a significant negative impact on patient's lives. The objective of this study is to describe some of the emotional and psychological challenges that affect women with scarring alopecia (SA).


METHODS
A qualitative study design was used with open-ended, individual interviews with 10 women with biopsy-proven SA. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti analysis software.


RESULTS
Four overarching major themes (with several subthemes) emerged including the following: the negative emotional impact of SA, difficulties with concealing hair loss, negative experiences with diagnosis/management, and the importance of support from others. Patients reported that many of these issues were under-emphasized during doctor visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of patient responses indicated that patients with SA contend with significant emotional and psychological sequelae of their diagnosis.
a Department of Dermatology, Howard University College of Medicine , Washington , DC , USA.
Alessandra
A
Haskin
b Department of Dermatology , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA.
Crystal
C
Aguh
b Department of Dermatology , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA.
Ginette A
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1316-4023
GA
Okoye
D000368:Aged; D000505:Alopecia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support
Hair loss; central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia; cicatricial alopecia ethnic hair; quality of life; scarring alopecia