Dual Relief: How Atopic Dermatitis Treatments Affect Alopecia Areata—A Small Retrospective Cohort Study

February 2025 in “ Diagnostics ”

D Brănişteanu, Antonia-Elena Huțanu, Daniel Brănișteanu, Cristina Colac-Boțoc, Roxana Paraschiva Ciobanu, Cătălina-Anca Munteanu, Alin Gabriel Colac, George Brănișteanu, Cătălina Onu-Brănișteanu, Nicuța Manolache, Mihaela Paula Toader, Elena Porumb‐Andrese

atopic dermatitis alopecia areata JAK inhibitors baricitinib upadacitinib dupilumab systemic corticosteroids Dermatology Life Quality Index Severity of Alopecia Tool AD AA DLQI SALT

TLDR Most patients improved in both atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata with certain treatments, but some had worsened symptoms, suggesting personalized care is needed.

This small retrospective cohort study investigated the effects of atopic dermatitis (AD) treatments on alopecia areata (AA) in 6 patients, revealing that 5 out of 6 patients (83.3%) experienced significant improvements in both conditions after 6 months of treatment with therapies such as JAK inhibitors (baricitinib and upadacitinib), dupilumab, and systemic corticosteroids. The mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score improved by 91.03%, and the mean Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score improved by 95.65%. However, 2 patients experienced worsening AA symptoms with dupilumab, indicating the need for personalized treatment strategies and careful monitoring. The study highlights the potential of JAK inhibitors in managing these comorbid conditions and calls for larger studies to validate these findings.