Efficacy and Safety of Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have been shown to be effective in promoting hair regrowth in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata, as demonstrated in a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomised controlled trials involving 4141 participants. The study found that JAK inhibitors significantly increased the odds of achieving lower Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores compared to placebo, with higher response rates observed at later timepoints. While JAK inhibitors were associated with a higher risk of total adverse events, there was no significant difference in serious adverse events or treatment discontinuation due to adverse events. The study concludes that JAK inhibitors have a favorable safety profile, and future research should focus on direct comparisons and long-term safety monitoring.