Efficacy Of 308 Nm Excimer Lamp With Minoxidil In The Treatment Of Alopecia Areata

Object:Alopecia areata(AA)is a common dermatological disease,and the incidence is about 2.1%in the population.Recent studies have proved that AA is a specific autoimmune disease mediated by T lymphocytes and targeting the hair follicles.308-nm excimer lamp is a novel ultraviolet B(UVB)light source that can induce the apoptosis of T lymphocytes,thereby reducing the attack of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors on hair follicles.Although there are several domestic and foreign studies on the treatment of AA by 308-nm excimer lamp,the clinical efficacy is quite different.Therefore,this study intends to further explore the clinical efficacy of 308-nm excimer lamp with minoxidil in the treatment of AA and its influencing factors,safety and recurrence through self-control method.Methods:This study recruited patients with single or multiple AA in the dermatology department of Chinese PLA General Hospital from October 2018 to August 2019.Patients in the group had a stable alopecia lesion measuring 2.5cm or larger,and the lesion was divided into two sides with equal area by the center line.The left side was the control side,given 2%minoxidil topical solution two times a day;the right side was the treated side,given 2%minoxidil topical solution two times a day with 308-nm excimer lamp two times a week.Photos were taken before treatment and 4 weeks,8 weeks and 12 weeks after treatment to evaluate hair regeneration.Dermoscopy was used for hair count and diameter measurement,and adverse reactions and recurrence after treatment were recorded.Results:A total of 34 patients were included in this study,with a mean age of33.00±9.21 years and a mean course of disease of 8.85±12.11 months.After 12weeks of treatment,32 patients(94.2%)in the treated group achieved clinical efficacy,and 21 patients(44.1%)achieved more than 50%hair regeneration.The hair count in the treated group increased from 32.06±18.47/cm~2to 123.38±36.34/cm~2,and that in the control group increased from 31.88±17.54/cm~2to 100.88±31.40/cm~2.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant.The hair diameter of the treated group increased from 41.38±13.03μm to 74.53±13.87μm,and that of the control group increased from 42.09±12.30μm to 62.35±15.71μm.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant.Pigmentation and erythema reactions were observed in all patients in the treated group,but were well tolerated.After 12 weeks of follow-up,no patients in the treated group recovered,and only 5 patients developed new lesions in other areas.In addition,the age of the patients and the area of lesions were found to be influencing factors for the efficacy.Patients of younger age or with smaller area of lesion had better effect.Conclusion:The efficacy of 308-nm excimer lamp with minoxidil in the treatment of AA is better than that of minoxidil alone.It has the advantages of high safety,small side effects and low recurrence rate.308-nm excimer lamp with minoxidil therapy can be used as a treatment option for single or multiple AA.