Journal article
High-dose intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy in alopecia areata: own experience compared with the literature.
- Luggen P Department of Dermatology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
- Hunziker T
- 2008-01-22
Published in:
- Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG. - 2008
Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Alopecia Areata
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Humans
Injections, Intravenous
Methylprednisolone
Pulse Therapy, Drug
Treatment Outcome
English
BACKGROUND
Seven prospective studies including 193 patients have been published on high-dose intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy in alopecia areata (AA). We compare these data with a retrospective analysis of our own consecutive patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between 1998 and 2002,25 patients with severe AA were treated at the Department of Dermatology, University of Bern, with infusions of 500 mg methylprednisolone on 3 consecutive days. In addition to the inpatient records, in 2004 all patients were followed up by a questionnaire.
RESULTS
Four of 10 patients with multifocal AA and 3 of 9 patients with ophiasis-type AA had full re-growth of hair, whereas all 6 patients with AA totalis/universalis failed to respond.
CONCLUSION
Intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy may be helpful in the treatment of multifocal and ophiasis-type AA. Patients with an initial episode of short duration have better chances for success.
Seven prospective studies including 193 patients have been published on high-dose intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy in alopecia areata (AA). We compare these data with a retrospective analysis of our own consecutive patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between 1998 and 2002,25 patients with severe AA were treated at the Department of Dermatology, University of Bern, with infusions of 500 mg methylprednisolone on 3 consecutive days. In addition to the inpatient records, in 2004 all patients were followed up by a questionnaire.
RESULTS
Four of 10 patients with multifocal AA and 3 of 9 patients with ophiasis-type AA had full re-growth of hair, whereas all 6 patients with AA totalis/universalis failed to respond.
CONCLUSION
Intravenous corticosteroid pulse therapy may be helpful in the treatment of multifocal and ophiasis-type AA. Patients with an initial episode of short duration have better chances for success.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2007.06608.x
- PMID 18205838
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/1285
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