Obijiofor C, Sikora M, Moshiri AS, Alam M, Lo Sicco KI, Imadojemu S, Caplan AS. Clinicopathologic features, demographics, disease burden, and therapeutics in alopecic sarcoidosis: a case series and systematic review.
Int J Womens Dermatol 2024;
10:e181. [PMID:
39281007 PMCID:
PMC11398751 DOI:
10.1097/jw9.0000000000000181]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
Alopecic sarcoidosis is an uncommon cutaneous manifestation of sarcoidosis. Scarring and nonscarring alopecic sarcoidosis have been reported; however, information on the epidemiology, systemic disease associations, and treatment efficacy is limited.
Objective
To address these gaps, we conducted a retrospective chart review and systematic literature review of alopecic sarcoidosis cases.
Methods
Full-text English publications from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from inception to August 2023 were analyzed. Treatment evidence quality was assessed using the modified Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine rating scale. Three patients with biopsy-proven alopecic sarcoidosis were included as a case series, all demonstrating systemic sarcoidosis and 2 requiring multiple therapies. Among 1778 search results, 60 articles representing 77 cases of alopecic and scalp sarcoidosis were included. Patients were categorized into 4 distinct alopecic subgroups. Black patients constituted the majority of all subgroups.
Results
Extracutaneous sarcoidosis burden was high across all alopecic subgroups, with ocular disease appearing overrepresented. Topical and oral corticosteroids were the main treatments. Though scarring alopecia patients had poor outcomes despite receiving immunomodulators/cx, limited data suggest potential efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors.
Limitations
This study has a small sample size.
Conclusion
Our findings underscore the importance of evidence-based strategies for improving alopecic sarcoidosis management. Prompt diagnosis and systemic evaluation, especially for scarring alopecia, are essential for timely intervention to optimize patient outcomes.
Collapse