A Comparative Study of Oral Cyclosporine and Betamethasone Minipulse Therapy in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Various systemic agents have been assessed for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA); however, there is a paucity of comparative studies.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess and compare cyclosporine and betamethasone minipulse therapy as treatments for AA with regard to effectiveness and safety.

METHODS:

Data were collected from 88 patients who received at least 3 months of oral cyclosporine (n=51) or betamethasone minipulse therapy (n=37) for AA. Patients with ≥50% of terminal hair regrowth in the alopecic area were considered responders.

RESULTS:

The responder of the cyclosporine group was 54.9% and that of the betamethasone minipulse group was 37.8%. In the cyclosporine group, patients with mild AA were found to respond better to the treatment. Based on the patient self-assessments, 70.6% of patients in the cyclosporine group and 43.2% of patients in the betamethasone minipulse group rated their hair regrowth as excellent or good. Side effects were less frequent in the cyclosporine group.

CONCLUSION:

Oral cyclosporine appeared to be superior to betamethasone minipulse therapy in terms of treatment effectiveness and safety.

• Authors: Yong Hyun Jang, Sang Lim Kim, Kyou Chae Lee, Min Ji Kim, Kyung Hea Park, Weon Ju Lee, Seok-Jong Lee, Do Won Kim
• Journal: Annals of dermatology (Ann Dermatol) Vol. 28 Issue 5 Pg. 569-574 (Oct 2016) ISSN: 1013-9087 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 27746635 (Publication Type: Journal Article)