Alopecias due to drugs and other skin and systemic disorders

Human papillomavirus symptomatic infection associated with increased risk of new-onset alopecia areata: A nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

We investigated the correlation between a history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and alopecia areata risk.

METHODS

The study cohort comprised 30,001 patients with newly diagnosed HPV infection between 2000 and 2012; and with use of computer-generated randomly numbers, patients not had HPV infection were randomly selected as the comparison cohort. HPV infection cohort were matched to comparison individuals at a 1:1 ratio by age, gender and index year. All study individuals were followed up until they developed alopecia areata, withdraw from the insurance program, lost to follow-up, or until the end of 2013. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to analyze the risk of alopecia areata with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between the HPV and control cohort.

RESULTS

The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of alopecia areata for HPV patients relative to controls was 2.55 (95% C.I. = 1.88-3.47) after adjusting sex, age and comorbidities. Subgroup analysis indicated that patients with HPV infections had a significantly greater risk of alopecia areata for both genders, all age subgroups, and those with mental disorder diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

A history of HPV infection is associated with the development of subsequent alopecia areata in Taiwanese subjects.

The necessity of holistic approach to treatment of telogen hair loss associated with iron deficiency in women

The relationship between disorders of iron metabolism and alopecia, in particular telogen hair loss (THL), remains poorly understood and requires further research. Goal. To assess changes in the dynamics of growth and hair condition in women with an iron deficiency state during systemic therapy with iron supplements in combination with and without physiotherapy. Methods. An open-label, randomized, comparative interventional study with a duration of 6 months included 26 female aged 19 to 54 years (38.8 8.9 years) with complaints of hair loss, changes in their structure, dryness and / or hair brittleness; with preserved menstrual cycle and mild iron deficiency anemia (IDA, Hb 101120 g/l). Trichoscopy and phototrichogram were performed with processing of the results in the TrichoScienceProv1.1 program. The changes in the dynamics of hair growth and condition were assessed against the background of the use of iron supplements in combination with physiotherapy and without physiotherapy. Pulsed alternating sinusoidal current of high frequency, high voltage and low strength was chosen as a physiotherapeutic method for the treatment of THL. Results. Against the background of the therapy, an increase in the Hb level (p 0.001) and a positive dynamics of trichological parameters in all patients were noted, the severity of which was higher when the therapy with iron supplements was combined with physiotherapy. Conclusion. Our findings confirm that the complex treatment of patients with telogen alopecia on the background of an iron deficiency state may achieve positive dynamics of trichological indicators.

The necessity of holistic approach to treatment of telogen hair loss associated with iron deficiency in women

The relationship between disorders of iron metabolism and alopecia, in particular telogen hair loss (THL), remains poorly understood and requires further research. Goal. To assess changes in the dynamics of growth and hair condition in women with an iron deficiency state during systemic therapy with iron supplements in combination with and without physiotherapy. Methods. An open-label, randomized, comparative interventional study with a duration of 6 months included 26 female aged 19 to 54 years (38.8 8.9 years) with complaints of hair loss, changes in their structure, dryness and / or hair brittleness; with preserved menstrual cycle and mild iron deficiency anemia (IDA, Hb 101120 g/l). Trichoscopy and phototrichogram were performed with processing of the results in the TrichoScienceProv1.1 program. The changes in the dynamics of hair growth and condition were assessed against the background of the use of iron supplements in combination with physiotherapy and without physiotherapy. Pulsed alternating sinusoidal current of high frequency, high voltage and low strength was chosen as a physiotherapeutic method for the treatment of THL. Results. Against the background of the therapy, an increase in the Hb level (p 0.001) and a positive dynamics of trichological parameters in all patients were noted, the severity of which was higher when the therapy with iron supplements was combined with physiotherapy. Conclusion. Our findings confirm that the complex treatment of patients with telogen alopecia on the background of an iron deficiency state may achieve positive dynamics of trichological indicators.

Citalopram-Associated Alopecia: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review

Background:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line treatments for various psychiatric disorders. SSRIs offer an improved side effect profile compared to older treatments, which improves patients’ adherence and quality of life.

Case Report:

Here we discuss a case of an uncommon, but a distressing side effect of citalopram. A 76-year old woman was referred to the psychiatry clinic for bizarre behavior. The patient was diagnosed with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and was started on citalopram 20 mg and aripiprazole 5 mg daily. At 3.5 months the patient complained of diffuse hair thinning on her scalp. Citalopram was considered the offending agent and was discontinued. Within a few months, the patient regained most of her hair. Although drug-induced alopecia is common among other SSRIs, it is relatively rare with citalopram.

Results and Conclusion:

Early recognition, withdrawal of offending agent, and reassurance to the patient that hair loss is reversible can help alleviate patient distress and avoid relapse.

Diagnosis and management of hair loss in children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hair loss is common in infants and children and the ability to distinguish why a child is losing hair enables providers to distinguish hair loss that is related to infection, autoimmune conditions, nutrition, medications, trauma/traction, or underlying genetic disorders such as ectodermal dysplasias. Making these distinctions leads to best management and guidance for patients and their families.

RECENT FINDINGS

Careful physical examination of the hair, scalp, skin, and nails coupled with dermoscopy or trichoscopy, or both, can yield more accurate and faster diagnosis. Biopsy is rarely needed in children for hair loss conditions.

SUMMARY

Hair loss, particularly on the scalp, can affect all ages and can impact patients socially and emotionally. The majority of hair loss in children is nonscarring. Diagnosis begins with a good history, including personal and family history, medication use, a thorough physical examination, and use of dermoscopy or trichoscopy, or both. With these, providers can begin to divide hair loss into congenital vs. acquired, and then further subdivide into focal vs. diffuse and scarring vs. nonscarring. Secondary change, including scale and erythema, can further help with diagnosis.