Medium-dose prednisolone pulse therapy in alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Although the exact etiology of alopecia areata is still unknown, systemic prednisolone treatment seem to be effective in early stages but significant side effects may occur leading to discontinuation of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of efficacy and saftety of a short-term medium-dose pulse prednisolone treatment in alopecia areata.

RESULTS: 84% of the patients with multifocal alopecia areata markedly improved after the completion of the three courses. A patient with the ophiasis type only responded after the third course, but relapsed 7 months later. The patients with alopecia areata totalis and universalis did not respond to the treatment. No major side effects were observed.

METHODS: Monocenter prospective study of intravenous 100 mg intravenous prednisolone pulse therapy on 3 consecutive days at 1-month-intervals for three courses in 23 patients with active alopecia areata rapidly evolving and/or resistant to topical therapies and no contraindication for systemic steroids.

CONCLUSION: A series of three monthly courses of medium-dose prednisolone pulse therapy is effective and well tolerated in most patients with active, multifocal alopecia areata. The results are rather disappointing in patients with alopecia areara totalis/universalis.