Alopecia Areata Treatment Advancements and Emerging Technology

Kristen Whitney, DO, FAAD, dermatologist at Allegheny Health Network.

Kristen Whitney, DO, FAAD, dermatologist at Allegheny Health Network, discussed the positive impact of recent advancements in the treatment of alopecia areata on patient quality of life. New medications, particularly Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, offer hope for patients with severe forms of the condition.

However, she emphasizes challenges that persist in accessing these treatments due to insurance coverage issues and the time it takes for new medications to become widely available. Whitney explains how patient advocacy groups have played a crucial role in raising awareness of the psychological impact of alopecia areata and advocating for improved access to care.

Transcript

The American Journal of Managed Care^® (AJMC^®): How have recent advancements in the understanding and treatment of alopecia areata impacted the quality of life for patients and the approach of dermatologists?

Whitney: We're headed in the right direction, especially for patients with severe alopecia areata. We have new, exciting, and effective treatment options for these patients.

Patient advocacy groups have really shed light on what these patients are going through on a day to day basis. There is a strong psychological component to many skin conditions. Several skin conditions, such as severe alopecia areata or vitiligo, when untreated or uncontrolled, negatively impact a patient's quality of life. We can see a higher rate of depression and anxiety in these patients.

As physicians we have struggled for years trying to get medications accessible and affordable for patients. We have encountered numerous barriers such as insurance companies considering many dermatologic medications as cosmetic, leading to a high cost for treatment for the patient.

Recently numerous medical groups and patient advocacy groups have done a fantastic job with shedding light on what these patients are truly going through. Many skin conditions aren't considered "cosmetic" anymore and are now covered under medical insurance. It's great to see these positive changes happening.

AJMC: What emerging research or technologies in the field of alopecia are you most excited about, and how do you anticipate these advancements impacting patient care?

Whitney: Well, the biggest thing is the JAK inhibitors because we were waiting decades for a new therapy to offer patients with severe alopecia areata. With any new medication, it can be a lot of work to get the information out there to patients and to insurance companies.

Once something is FDA approved, it may take years for it to get on patient formularies and to be recognized as an FDA-approved treatment. It can be a big struggle and a source of frustration for both patients and their doctors to get patients timely access to these treatments.