Adherence to Alopecia Areata Therapies

Author(s):

Ryan Haumschild, PharmD, MS, MBA,Amy McMichael, MD

Key Takeaways

Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune disorder causing non-scarring hair loss due to immune system attacks on hair follicles.
Breakdown of immune privilege in hair follicles leads to infiltration by cytotoxic T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells.
Inflammatory cytokines like IFN-γ and TNF-α are key contributors to immune-mediated hair follicle destruction.
The chronicity of alopecia areata is linked to persistent immune dysregulation and genetic predisposition.

Panelists discuss how adherence to conventional therapies for alopecia areata (AA) can be challenging, with adverse effects often impacting patient compliance, and how the most common cause of nonadherence is the lack of visible improvement or perceived efficacy.

EP: 1.Discussing the Pathophysiology of Alopecia Areata

EP: 2.Common Comorbidities Associated With Alopecia Areata

EP: 3.Hallmark Symptoms Seen With Alopecia Areata

EP: 4.Psychosocial Impact of Alopecia Areata

EP: 5.Diagnosis of Alopecia Areata

EP: 6.Multimodal Care for Patients With Alopecia Areata

EP: 7.Epidemiology Associated wWith Alopecia Areata

EP: 8.Deciding When to Treat Patients With Alopecia Areata

EP: 9.Choosing an Initial Therapy for Alopecia Areata

Now Viewing

EP: 10.Adherence to Alopecia Areata Therapies

Video content above is prompted by the following:

Mostaghimi: How would you rate the overall adherence to conventional therapies in patients being treated for AA?
1. Do the adverse effects of a patient's treatment typically affect adherence?
2. What is the most common cause for nonadherence in patients with AA?