Efficacy and Safety of Oral Tofacitinib in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

Efficacy and Safety of Oral Tofacitinib in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

This clinical trial was conducted at the Dermatology department of Services hospital Lahore. Patients of extensive and treatment resistant Alopecia areata were enrolled after ethical approval and informed consent by non-probability consecutive sampling. Inclusion criteria: Treatment with oral tofacitinib citrate was initiated at 5 mg twice daily for six months. Scalp hair loss was calculated at 4, 12 and 24 weeks using the validated Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, which ranges from 0% to 100%. Regrowth rate: (initial SALT score - final SALT score)/(initial SALT score) × 100 was noted. Response time (time from initiation of treatment to any sign of hair regrowth) was noted. DLQI of patients before and after treatment were noted. Side effects were noted. Pre- and post-treatment photographs were taken. Patients were followed up for another 6 months to look for relapse.

Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20. Means were calculated for quantitative variables, frequencies for qualitative data. Data were stratified for the role of effect modifiers.

This clinical trial was conducted at the Dermatology department of Services hospital Lahore. Patients of extensive and treatment resistant Alopecia areata were enrolled after ethical approval and informed consent by non-probability consecutive sampling. Treatment with oral tofacitinib citrate was initiated at 5 mg twice daily for six months after labs and ruling out contraindications. Scalp hair loss was calculated at 4, 12 and 24 weeks using the validated Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, which ranges from 0% to 100%. Regrowth rate: (initial SALT score - final SALT score)/(initial SALT score) × 100 was noted. Response time (time from initiation of treatment to any sign of hair regrowth) was noted. DLQI of patients before and after treatment were noted. Side effects were noted. Pre- and post-treatment photographs were taken. Patients were followed up for another 6 months to look for relapse.

Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20. Means were calculated for quantitative variables, frequencies for qualitative data. Data were stratified for the role of effect modifiers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Either gender Age 18 to 60 years Extensive disease (SALT > 24)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients taking immunosuppressants or DMARDs Recent live vaccination Active or latent TB, Hepatitis B or C, HIV Malignancy Hypersensitivity to the drug Pregnant or lactating mothers