Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Janus Kinase Inhibitor Alopecia Areata Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes non-scarring alopecia. A few studies have shown increased odds of AA in Black individuals compared to White individuals and increased odds of AA in Latinos compared to non-Latinos. Another study showed that Asians have lower odds of AA compared to Whites. Baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi), became the first Federal Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for adult patients with severe AA in June 2022. Objectives: The aim of this review was to analyze published JAKi AA randomized controlled trials to characterize and assess the racial and ethnic representation of participants. Animal studies, studies unrelated to AA, and studies not investigating JAKis were excluded. Methods: PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov were searched for systematic reviews of clinical trials between 1990 and 2022. Results: Six clinical trials were included with a total of 1,690 subjects. Four trials were industry-sponsored, while two were university-sponsored. The three largest races represented included White (59.9%), Asian (28.0%), and African American/Black (8.1%). Three out of the 10 patients identified as Hispanic. None of the trials included sub-analyses of clinical efficacy based on race and/or ethnicity. Conclusions: Our results show that populations with lower odds of AA (Whites and Asians) are overrepresented in JAKi AA clinical trials compared to Black and Hispanic/Latino patients.

Treatment modalities for lymphocytic and neutrophilic scarring alopecia.

Primary cicatricial alopecia can result in permanent hair loss from the destruction of hair follicles. Early intervention is key in controlling disease progression, reducing symptoms, and optimizing hair density. Treatment modalities range from topical and intralesional therapies to oral medications and light therapy.

Association Between Atopic Dermatitis, Anxiety, and Symptoms of Panic Among United States Adults in the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic inflammatory dermatologic condition that can cause discomfort and thus negatively influence the mental health of patients. Research directly exploring the relationship between AD, anxiety, and symptoms of panic in a large United States (US) adult population is limited. We studied the relationship between AD and anxiety versus panic in US adults aged 20 to 39 years. The association between AD and anxiety was significant, but not between AD and panic. This association between AD and anxiety was significantly increased in adults aged 30 to 39 years and female adults. Our study may demonstrate that a focus on the wellbeing of patients might be helpful in clinical practice. Further longitudinal studies can help to elucidate these relationships.

Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapy Update.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern hair loss (MPHL) or female pattern hair loss (FPHL), is the most common form of alopecia worldwide, and arises from an excessive response to androgens. AGA presents itself in a characteristic distribution unique to both sexes. Despite its prevalence, AGA can be quite challenging to treat. The condition is chronic in nature and stems from an interplay of genetic and environmental factors. There are only two US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs for the condition: topical minoxidil and oral finasteride. However, numerous non-FDA-approved treatments have been shown to be effective in treating AGA in various studies. Some of these treatments are relatively new and still to be explored, thus emphasizing the need for an updated review of the literature. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the evaluation of AGA and the mechanisms of action, costs, efficacies, and safety profiles of existing, alternative, and upcoming therapeutics for this widespread condition.