Describing Patient Characteristics, Treatment Patterns, and Disease Burden Among Patients with Alopecia Areata in Mexico

INTRODUCTIONAlopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease characterized by nonscarring hair loss, yet real-world data on AA in Mexico are sparse. This study aimed to characterize disease burden and identify unmet treatment needs among patients with AA in Mexico.

METHODSClinical data were analyzed from Adelphi Real World's AA II Mexico Disease Specific Programme™ (October 2024-April 2025), a linked physician and patient cross-sectional survey with retrospective elements. Dermatologists provided clinical and treatment information for eight consecutive patients with AA within prespecified severity quotas (three mild, three moderate, and two severe/very severe). Patients completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Alopecia Areata Patient Priority Outcomes instrument, and the Skindex-16 AA questionnaire. Analyses were stratified by physician-assessed AA severity (mild, moderate, severe/very severe).

RESULTSOf the 319 patients included, 123 had mild, 112 moderate, and 84 severe/very severe AA. Disease duration, percent scalp hair loss, nonscalp hair loss (eyebrow, eyelash, and body), and hair regrowth at consultation differed significantly across severity groups. Traditional medications, such as intralesional, topical, and oral corticosteroids, were the most frequently prescribed treatments across all severity groups. Physician-reported satisfaction with current treatment decreased with increasing AA severity and was significantly different across severity groups (P < 0.0001). Overall, 23.0% of patients with moderate AA and 29.0% with severe/very severe AA reported satisfaction with their current treatment and believed the best control had been achieved compared with 60.6% of patients with mild AA (P < 0.0001). Patients with severe/very severe AA experienced greater quality-of-life impairment and higher rates of anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSIONThis study helps address the gap in real-world evidence on AA in Mexico. The reliance on traditional therapies, combined with low treatment satisfaction among physicians and patients with moderate to very severe AA, suggests a need for improved access to advanced therapies within the Mexican healthcare system.

Abstract from PubMed