A cross-sectional analysis of medications used by patients reporting alopecia areata on the FDA adverse events reporting system

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that leads to patchy, nonscarring hair loss. Its etiology remains unknown; the condition can be debilitating for patients, impacting their psychosocial wellbeing. Various triggers have been reported, ranging from genetic predisposition and infections to environmental factors. Medications have also been thought to be an inciting factor in AA. Methods: Using the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS), all cases reporting AA as an adverse event were used to capture associated medications and patient characteristics. Results: There were 1,331 AA cases reported as an adverse event with medication use. Monoclonal antibodies accounted for 6 out of the top 10 drugs associated with the highest number of AA cases. Males were more likely to report AA when taking adalimumab (OR: 1.79, P = 0.04) and dupilumab (OR: 2.56, P = 0.03) compared to females. Individuals between 42 and 64 years old accounted for 46.7% of AA cases. Lastly, females in older age groups showed greater odds of developing AA compared to males (OR: 1.03, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Based on the FAERS, there has been a steady rise in AA cases, and monoclonal antibodies were the most frequently cited medication class tied to AA. With a dearth of literature on triggers and patient demographics, we sought to describe features of AA cases that could increase awareness and be used to improve future clinical outcomes in patients.