Trichoscopy as an evaluation method for alopecia areata treatment: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Trichoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosis and follow-up of alopecia areata (AA) patients. Both platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and intralesional corticosteroids (ILCs) are important treatment modalities of patchy AA. AIM: Trichoscopic diagnosis of AA and monitoring the treatment response to PRP versus ILCs in patchy AA treatment. PATIENTS/METHODS: This comparative study included 31 patients with patchy AA, divided into two groups: (group A) received ILCs while (group B) received PRP once monthly for 3 months. Evaluation was done by Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score, Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale (AASIS), photography, and dermoscopy. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in trichoscopic findings in both groups with regard to the number of follicular units per opening, black dots, broken hairs, and dystrophic changes. Final SALT score showed significant lower levels in both groups compared to baseline levels (P = .025 & P = .008). Final AASIS showed significant decrease in group B (P = .006) not in group A (P = .062). CONCLUSION: Trichoscopy can help in the diagnosis, evaluation of the efficacy and safety of both modalities and might give a clue for treatment response. Both ILCs and PRP were effective in patchy AA treatment.