How Commonly do Disease Stable Alopecia Areata Patients on Systemic JAK Inhibitors Flare with COVID Vaccination

6 % of Stable Alopecia Areata Patients on Systemic JAK Inhibitors Flared with COVID Vaccination

Authors of a new study set out to better understand how commonly patients on systemic therapy for alopecia areata flare after receiving a COVID 19 vaccination.

The author studied 69 patients with alopecia areata who were on JAK inhibitors. 49 received vaccines and 20 did not.

The 49 patients in the vaccine group comprised 25 men and 24 women with an average age of 36.9 years; range, 14- 72 years). The 20 patients in the unvaccinated group comprised 12 men and 8 women with average age 36.1 years; range, 27-62 years)

3 of the 49 patients who received vaccines flared.

a) in patient 1, the flare occurred 2 weeks after the FIRST dose of the Pfizer vaccines. The SALT score increased from 66 to 99

b) in patient 2, the flare occurred 2 weeks after the SECOND dose of the Pfizer vaccines. The SALT score increased from 34 to 59.

c) in patient 3, the flare occurred 2 weeks after the FIRST dose of the Moderna vaccine and then again after the second. The SALT score increased from 62 to 70.

A 3 patients had normal labs and were systemically well after the vaccine with no fever, fatigue, myalgias.

Conclusion

This is a helpful study that gives us much needed numbers to advise patients. About 6 % of patients with alopecia areata in this study flare with COVID vaccines. The flare occurred quickly (after 2 weeks) in all patients but did not necessarily happen after the first dose.

REFERENCE

Arish Babadjouni et al. COVID-19 vaccination related exacerbations of hair loss in patients with moderate-to-severe alopecia areata on systemic therapy. JAAD Case Rep. 2022 Nov;29:181-185.