Objective outcome measures: Collecting meaningful data on alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Although alopecia areata is a common disorder, it has no US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment and evidence-based therapeutic data are lacking.

OBJECTIVE: To develop guidelines for the diagnosis, evaluation, assessment, response criteria, and end points for alopecia areata.

METHODS: Literature review and expert opinion of a group of dermatologists specializing in hair disorders.

RESULTS: Standardized methods of assessing and tracking hair loss and growth, including new scoring techniques, response criteria, and end points in alopecia areata are presented.

LIMITATIONS: The additional time to perform the assessments is the primary limitation to use of the methodology in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION: Use of these measures will facilitate collection of standardized outcome data on therapeutic agents used in alopecia areata both in clinical practice and in clinical trials.