Comparison of cyclosporine and betamethasone minipulse therapy in management of Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Background: Alopecia Areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that attacks the hair follicles, causing non scarring hair loss. The present study compared cyclosporine and betamethasone minipulse therapy as treatments for AA.Materials & Methods: 56 cases of Alopecia Areata were divided into 2 groups of 28 each. Group I patients were prescribed oral cyclosporine and group II were given betamethasone minipulse therapy. Patients’ self-assessments were graded on a 4-point scale as excellent, good, fair, or poor.Results: Alopecia areata was seen in 12 in group I and 8 in group II, Alopecia totalis 10 in group I and 12 in group II and Alopecia universalis 6 in group I and 8 in group II. Nail changes were seen in 12 in group I and 7 in group II, family history was present in 5 in group I and 6 in group II and extent of hair loss was mild in 15 and 12 in group I and II respectively, severe in 13 and 16 in group I and II respectively. 8 cases in group I and 4 in group II had excellent response, 12 in group I and 6 in group II had good, 5 in group I and 12 in group III had fair and 3 in group I and 6 in group II had poor response.Conclusion: Oral cyclosporine found to be better than betamethasone minipulse therapy in treatment of cases of AA.