Efficacy of Intralesional Vitamin D in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata Using Dermoscopy before and after Treatment

Abstract

Background: Alopecia Areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that targets hair follicles and is driven by T cells specific to that organ. As it was found that the lack of expression of VDRs is associated with reduced hair follicle growth and epidermal differentiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intralesional vitamin D and to assess it by the dermoscope. Patients & Methods: This study clinical trial included a total of 20 patients with alopecia areata, who received intralesional injection of vitamin D (an aqueous preparation of cholecalciferol (Devarol ampule 200000iu/2ml, Memphis, Egypt) (2.5mg/ml) the maximum total amount of Vitamin D3 injected in every session was 1.25mg (0.5ml). Treatment of alopecia areata was done according to the study protocol and the patients were evaluated at initial time, every 2 weeks during treatment sessions and 3 months after completion of therapy. Results: There was no statistical significance change in SALT score among our group patients post treatment compared to pre treatment, regarding clinical response there was 10% of cases (2 patients) shows hair regrowth by >25% (A2) and majority of patients 75% (15 patients) shows minimal hair regrowth by < 25% (A1), 15% of cases (3 patients) shows no improvement at all , there was erythema, itching and pain assessed among study cases (20%, 15% and 15% respectively). Atrophy and telangiectasia found among 5% in cases. Conclusion: Intralesional Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) is a mild effective treatment of Alopecia Areata.