Safety and Efficacy of Ritlecitinib for the Treatment of Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the safety and efficacy of Ritlecitinib for alopecia areata by analyzing 13 randomized controlled trials with participant numbers ranging from 46 to 718. Ritlecitinib significantly reduced the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score at weeks 12 and 24, indicating improved hair regrowth compared to placebo. Patients also reported significant improvements in the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scores. Although Ritlecitinib was associated with a higher frequency of headaches, acne, and nasopharyngitis, serious adverse events were more common in the placebo group, though not statistically significant. The findings suggest Ritlecitinib is a promising treatment for alopecia areata with an acceptable safety profile, warranting further investigation in larger and long-term studies.