Chonnam Med J.  2000 Mar;36(1):59-62.

Effect of Combined Therapy of Systemic Corticosteroid with Topical Agents in Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata

• Yoo HC
• Lee JB
• Won YH
• Lee SC

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata is a relatively common disorder of unknown pathogenesis, and there is no satisfactory method to treat it.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic response of combined therapy of systemic corticosteroid with topical agents. Also, side effects of the treatment were evaluated. METHOD: We performed the combined therapy of systemic corticosteroid and topical agents, including topical steroids, DPCP sensitization, minoxidil, in 19 cases of severe alopecia areata. Estimated therapeutic results were followed up for 1 year after finishing the therapy.
RESULTS
The overall evaluation of the treatment showed good response in 6 cases, fair response in 5 cases, and fail response in 8 cases. The response of combined therapy was revealed to be dependent on the duration of alopecia: disease maturation less than 6 months was a good prognosis factor. Eight of nineteen patients developed side effects, such as acneiform eruption, weight gain, facial edema and DUB.
CONCLUSION
The combined therapy of systemic corticosteroids with topical agents was might be effective and relatively safe method to treat severe alopecia areata.

Keyword

Combined therapy; Severe alopecia areata

MeSH Terms

Acneiform Eruptions
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Alopecia Areata*
Alopecia*
Edema
Humans
Minoxidil
Prognosis
Steroids
Weight Gain
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Minoxidil
Steroids