Ali Jabbari, MD

The classification of severe alopecia areata (AA) and its treatment are evolving. Dr Ali Jabbari, from the University of Iowa, discusses factors that characterize severe AA and traces the expanded treatment options provided by the advent of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

Dr Jabbari reports on a modified AA severity scale, published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, in which the presence of certain factors upgrade the level of severity. Factors include eyebrow/eyelash involvement and psychosocial comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and social phobias. Traditional treatments for severe AA have relied largely on corticosteroids. Dr Jabbari explains how this treatment can be helpful for patients with limited disease, but may be burdensome for those with severe disease, in terms of injection pain and side effects of long-term use. Another option for patients with severe AA is the use of systemic immunosuppressants, but these are not as effective as newer treatments.

Dr Jabbari looks at two FDA-approved options for JAK inhibitors: baricitinib for patients aged 18 years or older and ritlecitinib for patients aged 12 years or older. He notes some of the potential side effects of these medications but concludes that JAK inhibitors are a safe option for treating patients with severe AA.

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Ali Jabbari, MD, PhD, Chair, DEO, Roger I. Ceilley Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa

Ali Jabbari, MD, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) as a consultant for: Pfizer; Inc.; Cage Bio

Received research grant from: National Institutes of Health; Department of Veterans Affairs; Pfizer; Inc

Scientific Advisory Board for: BiologicsMD

The classification of severe alopecia areata (AA) and its treatment are evolving. Dr Ali Jabbari, from the University of Iowa, discusses factors that characterize severe AA and traces the expanded treatment options provided by the advent of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

Dr Jabbari reports on a modified AA severity scale, published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, in which the presence of certain factors upgrade the level of severity. Factors include eyebrow/eyelash involvement and psychosocial comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and social phobias. Traditional treatments for severe AA have relied largely on corticosteroids. Dr Jabbari explains how this treatment can be helpful for patients with limited disease, but may be burdensome for those with severe disease, in terms of injection pain and side effects of long-term use. Another option for patients with severe AA is the use of systemic immunosuppressants, but these are not as effective as newer treatments.

Dr Jabbari looks at two FDA-approved options for JAK inhibitors: baricitinib for patients aged 18 years or older and ritlecitinib for patients aged 12 years or older. He notes some of the potential side effects of these medications but concludes that JAK inhibitors are a safe option for treating patients with severe AA.

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Ali Jabbari, MD, PhD, Chair, DEO, Roger I. Ceilley Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa

Ali Jabbari, MD, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) as a consultant for: Pfizer; Inc.; Cage Bio

Received research grant from: National Institutes of Health; Department of Veterans Affairs; Pfizer; Inc

Scientific Advisory Board for: BiologicsMD

The classification of severe alopecia areata (AA) and its treatment are evolving. Dr Ali Jabbari, from the University of Iowa, discusses factors that characterize severe AA and traces the expanded treatment options provided by the advent of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

Dr Jabbari reports on a modified AA severity scale, published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, in which the presence of certain factors upgrade the level of severity. Factors include eyebrow/eyelash involvement and psychosocial comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and social phobias. Traditional treatments for severe AA have relied largely on corticosteroids. Dr Jabbari explains how this treatment can be helpful for patients with limited disease, but may be burdensome for those with severe disease, in terms of injection pain and side effects of long-term use. Another option for patients with severe AA is the use of systemic immunosuppressants, but these are not as effective as newer treatments.

Dr Jabbari looks at two FDA-approved options for JAK inhibitors: baricitinib for patients aged 18 years or older and ritlecitinib for patients aged 12 years or older. He notes some of the potential side effects of these medications but concludes that JAK inhibitors are a safe option for treating patients with severe AA.

--

Ali Jabbari, MD, PhD, Chair, DEO, Roger I. Ceilley Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa

Ali Jabbari, MD, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) as a consultant for: Pfizer; Inc.; Cage Bio

Received research grant from: National Institutes of Health; Department of Veterans Affairs; Pfizer; Inc

Scientific Advisory Board for: BiologicsMD