Original Article

Prescription pattern of dermatologists for alopecia areata in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional survey


Author Details

1. Assistant Professor, Dept. of Dermatology & Venereology, Z.H Sikder Women's Medical College
2. Associate Professor, Critical Care Medicine, BIRDEM General Hospital
3. Consultant Dermatologist, Matador Diagnostic and Wellness Center, Dhaka
4. Associate Professor, Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College
5. Assistant Professor, Dhaka Medical College
6. Associate Professor, Z.H Sikder women's Medical College


Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by acute or chronic non-scarring hair loss, with heterogeneity in clinical manifestations ranging from patchy hair loss to complete scalp and body hair loss. Though before June 2022 there was no FDA-approved systemic medication for alopecia areata dermatologists prescribe a good number of topical and systemic agents for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA), and in Bangladesh all treatment modalities are not available and prescribed.

Methodology: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 120 dermatologists to see the prescription pattern in alopecia areata.

Results: The responses of 120 dermatologists were analyzed. The most common treatments prescribed for AA were topical Steroids (91%), topical calcineurin inhibitors (88%), biotin (73%), Zn (73%) minoxidil (60%)tofacitinib (46%), methotrexate (3%), cryotherapy (2%), PUVA/NBUVB, anthralin. At the time of the survey, 46% of patients were being prescribed a combination of corticosteroids (23%), injectable corticosteroids(12%), and topical corticosteroids/topical calcineurin inhibitor.

Conclusions: This analysis provides a snapshot of the different local and systemic treatment options currently being used in a real-world treatment setting.

Keywords: Alopecia areata; Cross-sectional survey; Treatment patterns.

Keywords: Alopecia Areata; Cross-Sectional Survey; Treatment Patterns

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