Murat Durdu1, Deren Özcan2, Mete Baba3, Deniz Seçkin2. 1. Department of Dermatology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana Hospital, Turkey. Electronic address: sivandr@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Dermatology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara Hospital, Turkey. 3. Department of Dermatology, Başkent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana Hospital, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Some patients with chronic extensive alopecia areata (AA) may be refractory to topical immunotherapy. Combination therapy is recommended for such patients. Efficacy and safety of a combination therapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) and anthralin in chronic extensive AA is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether the combination therapy of DPCP and anthralin is superior to DPCP alone in chronic extensive AA. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy, side effects, and relapse rates of DPCP (alone or with anthralin) in chronic extensive AA. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients (22 were treated only with DPCP, and 25 with DPCP and anthralin for at least 30 weeks) were evaluated. Complete hair regrowth was observed in 36.4% and 72% of the patients who received DPCP and combination therapy, respectively (P = .01). Hair regrowth duration was shorter with combination therapy (P = .01). Regrowth rates of the eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard in patients on combination therapy were higher than those in patients on DPCP (P = .01). Side effects such as folliculitis, hyperpigmentation, and staining of skin, hair, and clothes were more common in combination therapy group. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design and small number of patients are limitations. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with DPCP and anthralin is superior to DPCP alone in chronic extensive AA.
BACKGROUND: Some patients with chronic extensive alopecia areata (AA) may be refractory to topical immunotherapy. Combination therapy is recommended for such patients. Efficacy and safety of a combination therapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) and anthralin in chronic extensive AA is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether the combination therapy of DPCP and anthralin is superior to DPCP alone in chronic extensive AA. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy, side effects, and relapse rates of DPCP (alone or with anthralin) in chronic extensive AA. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients (22 were treated only with DPCP, and 25 with DPCP and anthralin for at least 30 weeks) were evaluated. Complete hair regrowth was observed in 36.4% and 72% of the patients who received DPCP and combination therapy, respectively (P = .01). Hair regrowth duration was shorter with combination therapy (P = .01). Regrowth rates of the eyebrows, eyelashes, and beard in patients on combination therapy were higher than those in patients on DPCP (P = .01). Side effects such as folliculitis, hyperpigmentation, and staining of skin, hair, and clothes were more common in combination therapy group. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design and small number of patients are limitations. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy with DPCP and anthralin is superior to DPCP alone in chronic extensive AA.
Authors: Nicholas Gulati; Richard D Carvajal; Michael A Postow; Jedd D Wolchok; James G Krueger Journal: Exp Dermatol Date: 2016-07 Impact factor: 3.960