Guidelines for clinical trials of frontal fibrosing alopecia: consensus recommendations from the International FFA Cooperative Group (IFFACG).

BACKGROUND: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) has become one of the most common causes of cicatricial alopecia worldwide. However, there is a lack of clear aetiology and robust clinical trial evidence for the efficacy and safety of agents currently used for treatment. OBJECTIVES: To enable data to be collected worldwide on FFA using common criteria and assessment methods. METHODS: A multicentre, international group of experts in hair loss was convened by email to create consensus recommendations for clinical trials. Consensus was defined at > 90% agreement on each recommended part of these guidelines. RESULTS: Standardized diagnostic criteria, severity rating, staging, and investigator and patient assessment of scalp hair loss and other clinical features of FFA were created. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines should allow the collection of reliable aggregate data on FFA and advance efforts in both clinical and basic research to close knowledge gaps in this condition.

Onychomycosis: a review.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail, causing discoloration and thickening of the affected nail plate, and is the most common nail infection worldwide. Onychomycosis was initially thought to be predominantly caused by dermatophytes; however, new research has revealed that mixed infections and those caused by non-dermatophyte moulds (NDMs) are more prevalent than previously thought, especially in warmer climates. Microscopy and fungal culture are the gold standard techniques for onychomycosis diagnosis, but high false-negative rates have pushed for more accurate methods, such as histology and PCR. As NDMs are skin and laboratory contaminants, their presence as an infectious agent requires multiple confirmations and repeated sampling. There are several treatment options available, including oral antifungals, topicals and devices. Oral antifungals have higher cure rates and shorter treatment periods than topical treatments, but have adverse side effects such as hepatotoxicity and drug interactions. Terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole are most commonly used, with new oral antifungals such as fosravuconazole being evaluated. Topical treatments, such as efinaconazole, tavaborole, ciclopirox and amorolfine have less serious side effects, but also have generally lower cure rates and much longer treatment regimens. New topical formulations are being investigated as faster-acting alternatives to the currently available topical treatments. Devices such as lasers have shown promise in improving the cosmetic appearance of the nail, but due to a high variation of study methods and definitions of cure, their effectiveness for onychomycosis has yet to be sufficiently proven. Recurrence rates for onychomycosis are high; once infected, patients should seek medical treatment as soon as possible and sanitize their shoes and socks. Prophylactic application of topicals and avoiding walking barefoot in public places may help prevent recurrence.

Optical coherence tomography in diagnosis of inflammatory scalp disorders.

BACKGROUND: The common inflammatory scalp disorders share similar clinical manifestations, and patient work up require invasive, undesirable diagnostic procedures like biopsy to ensure correct diagnosis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive high-resolution imaging modality that has found a valuable tool to assist in the diagnose and evaluation of different skin diseases. OBJECTIVES: To describe the structural and vascular dynamic OCT (D-OCT) findings of inflammatory scalp disorders including scalp psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and contact dermatitis and to compare trichoscopy and OCT features. METHODS: Subjects with diagnosis of seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis or contact dermatitis were enrolled in this study. OCT scans were taken on involved scalp, and the same scalp regions were evaluated by trichoscopy and compared with healthy scalp. RESULTS: A total of fourteen subjects (two healthy controls, four seborrhoeic dermatitis, five psoriasis and three contact dermatitis) participated. D-OCT imaging of vascular pattern in healthy scalp and the inflammatory scalp disorders were described. D-OCT images could enhance the clinician's ability to distinguish psoriasis from seborrhoeic dermatitis by objectively detect and assess red loop density. In scalp contact dermatitis, the vessels of the deep plexus were more dilated and fewer in number than those found in seborrhoeic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: Dynamic OCT provides information that more clearly elucidates changes at the level of the superficial and deep plexuses without invasively interfering with superficial structures. In the context of inflammatory scalp disorders, this is useful to discern disorders with overlapping symptoms and minimize the use of invasive biopsies to diagnose.

Alopecia totalis and universalis long-term outcomes: a review.

Alopecia totalis (AT) and universalis (AU) represent the most severe subtypes of alopecia areata with more dramatic features and worse prognosis. The goal of this review is to identify all studies with long-term prognostic data on patients with AT and AU and provide a long-term outcome estimate. The PubMed database was queried to identify all articles discussing the long-term prognosis of AT and AU. A total of nine articles discussing long-term recovery rates of AT and AU were identified. The articles described 689 (162 = AT, 245 = AU, 282 = not specified) total patients. Six of the nine studies identified complete recovery as a potential end point in a total of 375 (39 = AT, 75 = AU, 261 = not specified) patients. According to these studies 8.5% (32/375) of AT and AU patients achieved complete recovery. A larger proportion of patients will obtain at least transient recovery periods of partial or total hair regrowth. The poor long-term outcomes of AT and AU may cause patients to lose hope with treatment. Response to treatment is often unpredictable, and physicians should be aware of the prognosis and its effects in order to properly counsel patients.

Tinea capitis in children: a systematic review of management.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is the most common cutaneous fungal infection in children. OBJECTIVES: This review aims to evaluate the differences that exist between medications for the treatment of tinea capitis, to determine whether there are any significant adverse effects associated and to define the usefulness of sample collection methods. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of available papers using the databases PubMed, OVID, Cochrane Libraries and ClinicalTrials.gov. Twenty-one RCTs and 17 CTs were found. RESULTS: Among the different antifungal therapies (oral and combination thereof), continuous itraconazole and terbinafine had the highest mycological cure rates (79% and 81%, respectively), griseofulvin and terbinafine had the highest clinical cure rates (46% and 58%, respectively) and griseofulvin and terbinafine had the highest complete cure rate (72% and 92%, respectively). Griseofulvin more effectively treated Microsporum infections; terbinafine and itraconazole more effectively cured Trichophyton infections. Only 1.0% of children had to discontinue medication based on adverse events. T. tonsurans was the most common organism found in North America, and hairbrush collection method is the most efficient method of sample collection. Additionally, using a hairbrush, toothbrush or cotton swab to identify the infecting organism(s) is the least invasive and most efficient method of tinea capitis sample collection in children. CONCLUSIONS: Current dosing regimens of reported drugs are effective and safe for use in tinea capitis in children.