Tratamiento con tofacitinib en adolescentes con alopecia areata / Tofacitinib as a treatment of alopecia areata in adolescents

Resumen Introducción: Actualmente no existe un tratamiento estandarizado para la alopecia areata (AA) grave. Se han reportado numerosos casos exitosos del uso de tofacitinib; sin embargo, no existen publicaciones en México. En este trabajo se reportan cuatro casos de pacientes mexicanos con AA grave tratados con tofacitinib oral. Métodos: Serie de casos de adolescentes con alopecia grave tratados con tofacitinib oral. Para determinar la respuesta al tratamiento se utilizó la Escala de gravedad de alopecia (Severity of alopecia tool). Resultados: Se incluyeron cuatro pacientes de entre 13 y 19 años con AA. En todos los casos se observó crecimiento de cabello y disminución de la gravedad de la alopecia después del tratamiento con tofacitinib. En dos pacientes se observó una respuesta intermedia (del 51 al 90%), y en los otros, moderada (del 6 al 50%), sin efectos adversos serios. Las limitaciones del estudio fueron el tamaño reducido de la muestra y la naturaleza retrospectiva de la recolección de los datos. Conclusiones: El tofacitinib demostró ser una buena alternativa de tratamiento para la AA, total y universal, refractarias a otras terapias.

Abstract Background: Currently, no standardized treatment for severe alopecia areata (AA) exists. Numerous successful cases of the use of tofacitinib have been reported in the world literature, but not in Mexico. Four Mexican adolescents with severe AA treated with oral tofacitinib are reported in the present work. Methods: Series of cases of adolescents with severe AA treated with oral tofacitinib. The severity of alopecia tool was used to determine the response to treatment. Results: Four patients from 13 to 19 years old, were included. In all cases, hair growth was observed, and the alopecia severity decreased after the treatment with tofacitinib. In two patients, an intermediate response (from 51 to 90%) was observed; in the other, a moderate response (from 6 to 50%) was observed, without serious adverse effects. The limitations of the study were the small sample size and the retrospective nature of data collection. Conclusions: Tofacitinib showed to be a good treatment alternative for AA, total and universal, refractory to other therapies.

Late-onset alopecia areata: descriptive analysis of 30 cases

Abstract Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease characterized by non-scaring hair loss. The onset in over 50-year-old patients is rare and has barely been studied. Cases of this disease have been retrospectively analyzed - according to clinical forms, extension, and associated diseases - to assess alopecia areata characteristics in a group of patients whose disease onset was after the age of 50. 30 patients were studied; a few of them presented with autoimmune-related diseases or family history. The disease onset after the age of 50 seems to have different characteristics from those found in young people.

Effects of cervical headgear appliance: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: Although much has been investigated about the effects of cervical headgear, there remains some controversy. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to disclose the actual effects of the cervical headgear appliance, based on articles of relevant quality.METHODS: A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane databases. Inclusion criteria consisted of human studies written in English; published between 1970 and 2014; in which only the cervical headgear was used to correct Class II malocclusion; prospective or retrospective; with a clear description of cervical headgear effects; with a sample size of at least 15 individuals. No comparative studies, clinical cases or cases with dental extractions were included and the sample should be homogeneous.RESULTS: Initially, 267 articles were found. A total of 42 articles were selected by title and had their abstracts read. Finally, 12 articles were classified as with high quality and were used in this systematic review.CONCLUSIONS: The cervical headgear appliance proved efficient to correct Class II, Division 1 malocclusion. Its effects consisted in correction of the maxillomandibular relationship by restriction of maxillary anterior displacement; distalization and extrusion of maxillary molars; and slight maxillary expansion.

OBJETIVO: embora muitos estudos investiguem os efeitos do AEB cervical, ainda há algumas controvérsias sobre os seus efeitos. Portanto, o objetivo desta revisão sistemática é divulgar os efeitos reais do aparelho extrabucal cervical, com base em artigos com qualidade.MÉTODOS: os artigos foram pesquisados por meio das bases de dados PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus e Cochrane. Os critérios de inclusão consistiram em: estudos em humanos escritos em inglês; publicados entre 1970 e 2014; apenas o AEB cervical foi utilizado para corrigir má oclusão de Classe II; prospectivos ou retrospectivos; com uma descrição clara dos efeitos do aparelho; com um tamanho de amostra de pelo menos 15 indivíduos. Estudos comparativos, relatos de caso ou casos com extrações não foram incluídos e a amostra deveria ser homogênea.RESULTADOS: inicialmente, 267 artigos foram encontrados; e 42 artigos desses foram selecionados pelo título, tendo seus resumos lidos. Por fim, 12 artigos foram classificados como de alta qualidade e foram utilizados na presente revisão sistemática.CONCLUSÕES: o aparelho extrabucal cervical foi eficiente para corrigir a má oclusão de Classe II divisão 1. Seus efeitos são correção da relação maxilomandibular, com restrição do deslocamento anterior da maxila; distalização e extrusão dos molares superiores e ligeira expansão maxilar.

Trichostasis spinulosa of the scalp mimicking Alopecia Areata black dots

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disorder that leads to nonscarring hair loss. Black dots, also called comedo-like cadaver hairs, can be found in almost 50% of alopecia areata patients and indicate disease activity. Trichostasis spinulosa is a follicular disorder resulting from the retention of numerous hairs surrounded by a keratinous sheath in dilated follicles. Trichostasis spinulosa is a relatively common but underdiagnosed disorder of hair follicles. Here, we describe a man with alopecia areata of the eyebrows, androgenetic alopecia and trichostasis spinulosa at the vertex and show how dermoscopy can be useful in distinguishing black dots from Trichostasis spinulosa lesions.

Syndrome in Question

Multiple autoimmune syndrome is a rare condition, described by Humbert and Dupond in 1988. It is defined by the association of at least 3 autoimmune diseases in the same patient. Vitiligo is the most common skin condition in this syndrome. This article presents the case of a 31-year-old male with vitiligo, alopecia areata, Crohn's disease, psoriasis vulgaris and oral lichen planus. The rarity of this case is highlighted by the coexistence of four autoimmune skin diseases in association with Crohn's disease, never described in the literature.

Dermoscopic evaluation of therapeutic response to an intralesional corticosteroid in the treatment of alopecia areata.

Background: Intralesional corticosteroids are the treatment of choice for adults with less than 50% of scalp area involvement with alopecia areata. The sensitivity of picking up clinical response to treatment by clinical examination is very variable and has inter individual variation. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of alopecia areata and to use dermoscopy to identify signs of early clinical response and adverse effects. Methods: Seventy patches in 60 patients were injected with steroid at 4 weeks interval and followed up for 24 weeks. Treatment response was evaluated using regrowth scale (RGS). Heine DELTA 20; dermatoscope was used to assess disease activity, response to treatment and side effects. Results: Twenty eight patients responded early and achieved RGS of 4 within 12 weeks and 29 patients responded late and achieved RGS of 4 within 24 weeks of initiating therapy. There were 3 patients who did not achieve RGS of 4 at 24 weeks. Late and incomplete responders showed statistically significant association with family history of alopecia areata (p < 0.0001), presence of recurrent disease (p = 0.0147) and presence of nail changes (p = 0.0007). Dermoscopically, 60 patches demonstrated regrowth of new vellus hair at 4 weeks. Tapering hair disappeared maximally at 4 weeks. At 12 weeks, complete disappearance was seen in tapering hairs, broken hairs and black dots whereas for yellow dots to disappear completely in all patches it took 16 weeks. The adverse effects were observed at an earlier stage using dermoscopy than clinically. Conclusion: Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is efficacious for treatment of localized patchy alopecia areata. Dermoscopy is very useful to identify signs of early clinical response, adverse effects and markers of disease activity.

Alopecia areata incógnita: casos clínicos y revisión de la literatura / Alopecia areata incognita: clinical cases and literature review

La alopecia areata incógnita es un tipo de alopecia no cicatricial, que ha sido considerada por algunos autores como parte del espectro de alopecia areata. Se presenta como caída difusa de cabello, con visualización variable de vellos cortos, puntos amarillos, puntos negros y pelos en signos de exclamación a la dermatoscopía, y hallazgos histológicos que, si bien varían de acuerdo al tiempo de evolución, son similares a lo encontrado en biopsias de pacientes con patrones clásicos de alopecia areata. Desde que Rebora et al. describe por primera vez su hipótesis de alopecia areata incógnita, se han publicado diversos estudios dirigidos a establecer criterios que permitan definir esta entidad. Sin embargo, aún no se ha llegado a consenso. A continuación, se describen los hallazgos clínicos, dermatoscópicos e histopatológicos de pacientes con alopecia difusa de difícil manejo vistos en el Departamento de Dermatología de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Alopecia areata incognita, a type of non-scarring alopecia, has been considered by some authors as a subtype of alopecia areata. Clinically it is characterized by diffuse hair fall, with variable display of short hairs, yellow dots, black dots and exclamation mark hairs on dermoscopy. Its histological findings are similar to those found in biopsies of patients with classical pattern of alopecia areata, although substancial changes may be seen according to the evolution of the disease. Since Rebora et al. described his hypothesis of alopecia areata incognita, several studies have been published to establish a criteria in order to define this entity. However, still no consensus has been reached. In this review, we describe the clinical, dermoscopic and histopathologic features of patients seen at the Dermatology Department of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile with the diagnosis of diffuse alopecia with difficult management.

Clinical and histological challenge in the differential diagnosis of diffuse alopecia: female androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata - part II / Desafio clínico e histológico no diagnóstico diferencial de alopecia difusa: alopecia androgenética, eflúvio telógeno e alopecia areata - parte II

Diffuse alopecia is mainly caused by telogen effluvium, diffuse androgenetic alopecia (femalepattern hair loss) and diffuse alopecia areata. Differential diagnosis between the three disorders may be difficult in several occasions. In this second part of our study, chronic telogen effluvium and diffuse alopecia areata are discussed in detail, including clinical, dermoscopic and histological aspects. A flowchart presents a practical and objective differential diagnostic approach to diffuse alopecia.

A alopecia difusa tem como principais causas eflúvio telógeno, alopecia androgenética difusa (alopecia androgenética de padrão feminino) e alopecia areata difusa. Em muitas ocasiões o diagnóstico diferencial entre as três entidades é difícil. Na segunda parte deste artigo se discute em mais detalhes as características clínicas, dermatoscópicas e histológicas do eflúvio telógeno crônico e da alopecia areata difusa. Uma maneira prática e objetiva de abordagem diagnóstica da alopecia difusa é apresentada através de um fluxograma.

Clinical and histological challenge in the differential diagnosis of diffuse alopecia: female androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata - part I / Desafio clínico e histológico no diagnóstico diferencial de alopecia difusa: alopecia androgenética, eflúvio telógeno e alopecia areata - parte I

Diffuse androgenetic alopecia (female pattern hair loss), telogen effluvium, and diffuse alopecia areata may have similar clinical manifestations. Subtle details on physical examination and dermoscopy of the scalp may help to identify those disorders. The authors present a practical discussion on how to approach the patient with diffuse alopecia, considering clinical history, physical examination, and dermoscopic findings. If the diagnosis remains unclear after a careful analysis of the clinical signs, a scalp biopsy may help to distinguish between the three diseases. In this first part of our study, an objective review of female androgenetic alopecia is presented and the most important histological changes are discussed.

Alopecia androgenética difusa (alopecia de padrão feminino), eflúvio telógeno e alopecia areata difusa podem ter apresentações clínicas similares. Detalhes sutis no exame físico e na dermatoscopia do couro cabeludo podem ser úteis no diagnóstico diferencial e interferir na conduta e resultados terapêuticos. Os autores apresentam uma discussão prática de como abordar a paciente com alopecia difusa considerando dados da história clínica, exame físico e dermatoscópico. Quando a dúvida persistir após uma análise cuidadosa dos aspectos clínicos, uma biópsia de couro cabeludo pode permitir a distinção entre as três doenças. Nesta primeira parte, a alopecia androgenética de padrão feminino é abordada em maior detalhe e se faz uma revisão objetiva das principais alterações microscópicas observadas.

Alopecia areata, nuevos hallazgos en histopatología y fisiopatología / Alopecia areata, new findings in histopathology and pathophysiology

La alopecia areata es una enfermedad autoinmunitaria específica de órgano, dada por el colapso del privilegio inmunitario del folículo piloso. Constituye una causa muy común de alopecia no cicatricial. Las características histopatológicas dependen de la etapa de la enfermedad. La característica microscópica más frecuente corresponde al infiltrado inflamatorio linfocitario peribulbar; sin embargo, en ocasiones ni este ni otros hallazgos son visibles, dependiendo de la etapa en la que se toma la biopsia. En las etapas tempranas, se observa en los folículos un infiltrado inflamatorio linfocitario variable en la región peribulbar; luego este hallazgo disminuye y, en cambio, se observan numerosos folículos pilosos miniaturizados y en telógeno. En las fases tardías de la alopecia areata, la mayoría de los folículos pilosos se encuentran en catágeno y telógeno. Se debe sospechar alopecia areata cuando un alto porcentaje de los folículos pilosos están miniaturizados y se encuentran en telógeno, incluso en ausencia del infiltrado linfocitico peribulbar.

A importância do exame tricológico no diagnóstico da alopecia areata / The importance of trichological examination in the diagnosis of alopecia areata

Neste artigo, destacam-se os aspectos propedêuticos da alopecia areata, em especial, os encontrados na dermatoscopia, ferramenta muito útil para o diagnóstico. A dermatoscopia facilita a detecção precoce das alterações características dos cabelos na alopecia areata, como: pelos em ponto de exclamação, pelos cadavéricos, fuzzy, pelos tipo velo e pontos amarelos.

In this article we discuss the propedeutic aspects of alopecia areata, especially those found by dermatoscopy, an invaluable tool for diagnosis of the condition. Dermatoscopy facilitates the early detection of the characteristic changes in alopecia areata hair such as exclamation-point hairs, cadaverous hair, fuzzy hair, vellus type hair and yellow spots.

Pistas dermatoscópicas para diferenciar a tricotilomania da alopecia areata em placa / Dermoscopic clues to distinguish trichotillomania from patchy alopecia areata

INTRODUÇÃO: Tricotilomania e alopecia areata em placa possuem características clínicas e dermatoscópicas semelhantes. OBSERVAÇÕES: O exame dermatoscópico da tricotilomania revela densidade capilar diminuída, cabelos fraturados em diferentes tamanhos, enovelados e vellus, tricoptilose, pontos amarelos com ou sem pontos pretos e ausência de cabelos em "ponto de exclamação". CONCLUSÃO: No contexto de alopecia em placa e cabelos fraturados, a ausência de "pontos de exclamação" sugere o diagnóstico de tricotilomania. Por outro lado, o achado de pontos amarelos sem pontos pretos não afasta o mesmo.

BACKGROUND: Trichotillomania and patchy alopecia areata have similar clinical and dermoscopic features. OBSERVATIONS: In trichotillomania, dermoscopy shows decreased hair density, short vellus hair, broken hairs with different shaft lengths, coiled hairs, short vellus hair, trichoptilosis, sparse yellow dots, which may or may not contain black dots and no exclamation mark hairs. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of patchy alopecia and broken hairs, the absence of exclamation mark hairs suggests a diagnosis of trichotillomania. On the other hand, the finding of yellow dots without black dots does not exclude it.

Recalcitrant alopecia areata, what are the possible underlying factors?

Twenty-four patients with long standing alopecia areata [AA] [13 females and 11 males, whose ages ranged from 8 to 43 years] were studied. The duration of the disease varied from 3 to 16 years. All patients were subjected to detailed clinical and family history, laboratory and immunological studies. Skin biopsies were taken and stained with H/E and immunohistochemically for CD3, CD4 and CD8. Nineteen patients developed AA before puberty and 15 cases had a wide spread alopecia [7 subtotalis, 4 totalis and 4 universalis]. Five patients gave a family history, two of them were nonidentical female twins. The associated clinical features were Down's syndrome [two cases], atopic eczema [three cases, nail pitting [four cases] and only one case with thyroid disease. Five patients had low serum iron, one patient showed positive antithyroid antibodies and two patients with weak positive antinuclear antibodies. Only a female patient with alopecia subtotalis of 10-year duration had low serum immunoglobulin levels, low B-lymphocytes count and high suppressor T-cell number. Histopathologically, there were a reduced number of hair follicles and an increased number of catagen and telogen follicles. Fourteen biopsies showed moderate to dense infiltrate. The infiltrate affected predominantly the anagen follicles, which were reduced in the size. The infiltrate consists mainly of T-cells [CD3]. T-helper [CD4] cells were predominant in nine biopsies

Auto antibodies and immunohistochemical studies in alopecia areata

Alopecia areata [AA] is a common and distressing disorder of unknown etiology. The aim of the present work was to investigate some immunological factors that might have a role in the aetiopathogenesis of AA. Autoantibody and immunohistochemical studies were made. Eighty seven patients with AA and 20 controls were studied for the detection of circulating antibodies against thyroid, gastric, smooth muscle, mitochondrial, ovarian, testicular and vascular tissue. Lymphocyte subsets, Langerhans cells, macrophages, histiocytes and HLA-DR were studied by immunohistochemical techniques. Our results showed that AA patients have positive autoantibodies in the following percentages, antitesticular antibodies [38.4%], antinuclear antibodies [9.2%], antithyroid thyroglobulin and antithyroid microsomal antibodies [8%], anticardiolipin [6.9%], antismooth muscle antibodies [5.7%] and antiparietal cell antibodies [4.6%]. T4, T8, B lymphocytes, Langerhan cells, macrophages and histiocytes were increased in the perifollicular cellular infiltrations. There was also an increased incidence of HLA-DR. Conclusions: Our findings regarding the autoantibodies studied and the perifollicular cellular infiltrate support the view that immunological factors play a role in alopecia areata