Korean J Dermatol.
1998 Oct;36(5):877-886.
A Clinical Study on Alopecia Areata ( V )
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata, especially when severe, often profoundly affect the lives of those afflicted. Unfortunately, the clinical features and therapeutic results of alopecia areata are variable and unpredictable.
OBJECTIVE
The authors performed a study on alopecia areata in order to evaluate the clinical manifestations and the effects of treatment with intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide suspension, immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone(DPCP) and combination therapy of intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide suspension and immunotherapy with DPCP.
METHODS
A clinical study of 357 patients with alopecia areata was performed fram March l994 to February l996 at the Department of Dermatology, Yongsan Hospital, College of Medicine, Chung- Ang University.
RESULTS
1) The age distribution showed a peak incidence in the third decade(36.1%) and the average age was 27.6 years. 2) The most common site of predilection was the occipiital region in both male and female, which were 127 cases(73.0%), 89 cases(64.5%) respectively. 3) The relapse rate was 26.1%. 4) The farnily histories were significant in 37 cases(10.4%). 5) Associated diseases with alopecia areata were seborrheic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, urticaria, allergic dermatitis, etc in 117 cases(32.8%). 6) The therapeutic effect in cases of bald areas treated with intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide, immunotherapy with DPCP and combination therapy revealed no difference based on increases in the size and number of bald areas.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that alopecia areata prominently develops in the third decade, when the severity of alopecia areata increases and the therapeutic effect decrenses. There was no difference in the therapeutic effect on the size & number of balded areas.
