Effect of Methyl - Prednisolone Pulse Therapy on Alopecia Totalis

Lee, Jung Young; Suh, Jae Il; Ihm, Chull Wan

Abstract

Authors tried methyl-prednisolone pulse therapy in 12 cases of severe cases of alopecia areats(eight cases of alopecia totalis, two cases of alopecia universalis, and two cases of alopecia subtotalis) by the assumption that administration of corticosteroid by pulse method minimize its side effects and maximize its therapeutic effect. Authors followed the courses of therapeutic result of the 12 cases for at least one year after finishing t.he treatment. The results were as follows : 1. The overall evaluation of the treatment showed four cases with excellent response, one case with good response, one case with disappointed response and six cases with no response. 2. The responses of the therapy appeared to be dependent on the duration of the alopecia areata ; the better the response is, the shorter the duration of the alopecia is. Most cases shorter than 6 months duration of alopecia showed excellent response. 3. Side effects of the treatment were as follows ; facial flushing(12/12), intermenstrual spotting(4/7), weight gain(4/12), moon face(3/12), acneiform eruption(1/12), exacerbation of hypertension (1/12). Those side effects did not keep any patient from the planned treatment.