Prescription pattern of dermatologists for alopecia areata in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by acute or chronic non-scarring hair loss, with heterogeneity in clinical manifestations ranging from patchy hair loss to complete scalp and body hair loss. Though before June 2022 there was no FDA-approved systemic medication for alopecia areata dermatologists prescribe a good number of topical and systemic agents for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA), and in Bangladesh all treatment modalities are not available and prescribed.

Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 120 dermatologists to see the prescription pattern in alopecia areata.

Results: The responses of 120 dermatologists were analyzed. The most common treatments prescribed for AA were topical Steroids (91%), topical calcineurin inhibitors (88%), biotin (73%), Zn (73%) minoxidil (60%)tofacitinib (46%), methotrexate (3%), cryotherapy (2%), PUVA/NBUVB, anthralin. At the time of the survey, 46% of patients were being prescribed a combination of corticosteroids (23%), injectable corticosteroids(12%), and topical corticosteroids/topical calcineurin inhibitor.

Conclusions: This analysis provides a snapshot of the different local and systemic treatment options currently being used in a real-world treatment setting.

Keywords: Alopecia areata; Cross-sectional survey; Treatment patterns.