Facial and Extrafacial Lesions in an Ethnically Diverse Series of 91 Patients with Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Followed at a Single Center

Abstract

Background: Various facial and extrafacial lesions have been reported in frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA). Facial papules have been associated with worse prognosis.

Objectives: We sought to detect the prevalence of facial and extrafacial lesions and to analyze their relation to demographic and clinical variables in a large and ethnically diverse series of patients with FFA.

Methods: Charts of patients diagnosed with FFA between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2017, at the Department of Dermatology, University of Miami, were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: 91 patients (87 women and 4 men) met inclusion criteria: 45% (n = 41) were of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, and 34% (n = 30) were premenopausal. Facial papules were most commonly detected (41% among Hispanic/Latino patients). Significant associations were found between: (1) Hispanic/Latino ethnicity and any FFA-associated facial lesions, facial papules alone, or lichen planus pigmentosus alone, as well as premenopausal status; (2) any FFA-associated facial lesions or facial papules alone and premenopausal status; and (3) Hispanic/Latino ethnicity and simultaneous presence of facial and extrafacial lesions.

Conclusions: There is a significant association among Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, facial papules, and premenopausal status, which may portend a susceptibility to severer disease and prompt early and aggressive treatment in this group.

Keywords: Facial papule; Hair loss; Lichen planopilaris; Lichen planus pigmentosus; Scarring alopecia.