Maryam Akhiani; Hasan Seyrafi; Farshad Farnaghi; Parastoo Banan; Vahideh Lajvardi
Volume 11, Issue 3 , 2008, , Pages 103-107
Abstract
Background: Topical immunotherapy with diphencyprone (DPCP) for the treatment of severe alopecia areata has been used since 1983 and is felt to be the treatment of choice for chronic extensive alopecia areata. Highly variable results have been reported. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the ...
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Background: Topical immunotherapy with diphencyprone (DPCP) for the treatment of severe alopecia areata has been used since 1983 and is felt to be the treatment of choice for chronic extensive alopecia areata. Highly variable results have been reported. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of DPCP in the treatment of chronic, extensive alopecia areata and to assess the long-term overall benefit of treatment.Methods: In a retrospective study, 54 patients with chronic extensive alopecia areata who had used DPCP for more than 1.5 years between 2001 and 2005 were studied. Patients' information and results of treatment after every session were collected from record files.Results: The response to treatment was excellent (76-100% terminal hair re-growth) in 40.7%, good (51-75% terminal hair re-growth) in 14.8%, moderate (26-50% terminal hair re-growth) in 14.8%, and mild (1-25% terminal hair re-growth) in 29.6% of patients. However, 33% of them had a relapse. The response to treatment was excellent and good in 62% of the patients with less than 10 years duration of alopecia areata, but in the group with the duration of more than 10 years, a good and/or excellent response was found in 25% of patients and 75% had a poor and/or moderate response (P=0.017). There was no relationship between response to treatment and sex, onset of disease, nail involvement, atopy, extent of hair loss, and family history of alopecia areata.Conclusion: Topical immunotherapy with DPCP has proved to be an effective treatment with prolonged therapeutic results in Iranian population. Duration of disease less than 10 years is a main predictor for a good response rate.
Akhyani Maryam; Jafari Alireza Keshtkar; Seyrafi Hassan; Ghaninedjad Hayedeh; RezaPazouki Hamid; Tousi Siavash; Robati Reza Mahmood; Davari Parastoo; Firooz Alireza
Volume 11, Issue 1 , 2008, , Pages 7-10
Abstract
Background: Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F 2a analogue, is an intraocular pressure lowering drug used in the treatment of glaucoma. Increase in eyelash number, length, pigmentation, curvature is reported after using topical Latanoprost in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect ...
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Background: Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F 2a analogue, is an intraocular pressure lowering drug used in the treatment of glaucoma. Increase in eyelash number, length, pigmentation, curvature is reported after using topical Latanoprost in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Latanoprost ophthalmic solution on eyelash regrowth in patients with alopecia areata.Methods: Fifteen patients with alopecia areata and bilateral eyelash involvement, who showed excellent response to diphencyprone therapy, entered the study to be treated with Latanoprost ophthalmic solution. In each patient, one eye was randomly treated with Latanoprost daily over 3 months. To assess the eyelash changes, patients were followed up monthly. Results: Ten patients completed the study. Two patients had significant eyelash regrowth of both eyes. One patient showed eyelash regrowth on upper eyelid of the eye treated with Latanoprost. Conclusion: In this study, Latanoprost was not effective in treatment of alopecia areata of eyelashes. It is advisable to evaluate the efficacy of higher concentration and/or more frequent application of the Latanoprost with an appropriate vehicle for the treatment of alopecia areata of eyelashes.
M Emad; Sh Aghaei; P Jafari
Volume 8, Issue 3 , 2005, , Pages 211-217
Abstract
Background: Highly variable results of topical immunotherapy with Diphencyprone (DPC) in the treatment of Alopecia areata have been reported so far. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of DPC in the treatment of severe and chronic chronic Alopecia areata. ...
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Background: Highly variable results of topical immunotherapy with Diphencyprone (DPC) in the treatment of Alopecia areata have been reported so far. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of DPC in the treatment of severe and chronic chronic Alopecia areata. Patients and Methods: 28 patients (16 female and 12 male, 10-35 years old, mean age 25 years) with chronic and/or extensive Alopecia areata were enrolled in an open-label clinical trial. After sensitization with 2% DPC, progressively higher concentrations beginning at 0.001% were applied weekly for 6 months to one side of the scalp. The maximum concentration of DPC was 2%. Results: 27 of 28 patients completed therapy. The overall response rate was 81.5% (22 cases). Complete response (90%-100% terminal hair re-growth) was obtained in 22.2% (6 cases) and partial response (10%-90% terminal hair re-growth) in 59.3% (16 cases), and 18.5% (5 cases) showed no regrowth. In all patients an eczematous reaction consisting of erythema, itching, and scaling at the site of application was observed. Other observed side effects included occipital lymphadenopathy in 40.7% (11 cases), severe eczema/blister formation in 40.7% (11 cases), hyperpigmentation in 18.5% (5 cases). Notably, partial recurrence was observed in 66.7% (18 cases) of these patients after 6 to 12 months of follow up. Conclusion: Topical DPC treatment for Alopecia areata is an effective therapy with a relatively high relapse rate.
