Low-Dose Systemic Methotrexate Therapy for Recalcitrant Alopecia Areata
Annals of Dermatology
;
: 263-267, 2017.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-45445
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune skin disease difficult to manage and treat. The pathogenesis of AA features a T-cell-associated autoimmune process, and systemic immunosuppressive therapy is prescribed widely for AA.OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of systemic low-dose methotrexate (LD-MTX) therapy in treatment of recalcitrant AA multiplex.METHODS:
In a retrospective, non-controlled study, we evaluated 29 patients with recalcitrant AA treated with LD-MTX and assessed the therapeutic response according to severity of disease, disease duration, cumulative dose of MTX, and drug safety.RESULTS:
MTX was administered twice weekly, and the mean maximum weekly dose was 14.48 mg. The response was A5 (regrowth=100.0%) in 14 (48.3%) patients and A4 (regrowth of 75%~90%) in 12 (41.4%) patients. Three patients had poor response to LD-MTX treatment (A2 n=2 [6.9%], A1 n=1 [3.4%]). All three of the patients showing a poor response had disease durations exceeding 24 months. Relapse was observed in 31% of patients with more than 75% regrowth. Common side-effects were elevated liver enzyme levels and gastrointestinal discomfort.CONCLUSION:
LD-MTX appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for recalcitrant AA multiplex.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Recurrence
/
Skin Diseases
/
Methotrexate
/
Retrospective Studies
/
Alopecia
/
Alopecia Areata
/
Liver
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Annals of Dermatology
Year:
2017
Type:
Article
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