The Most Impactful Aspects of Living With Alopecia Areata Among Patients Commencing Systemic Treatments: Evaluating Patients’ Perspectives to Guide Therapy

This study explored the perspectives of patients with chronic, persistent alopecia areata (CPAA) who are starting systemic treatments, focusing on the impact beyond scalp hair loss. The study involved 44 patients completing surveys and 31 participating in focus groups. Results showed significant psychosocial impairments, with no correlation to the extent of scalp hair loss. Key impact domains identified included physical aspects like eyelash and eyebrow appearance, and psychosocial issues such as frustration and the effects of long-term camouflaging. These findings highlight the importance of considering facial hair loss and psychosocial factors when determining candidacy for systemic treatments, suggesting a need for patient-centered criteria in clinical settings.