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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Jun 2:14:1195858.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1195858. eCollection 2023.

The evaluation of JAK inhibitors on effect and safety in alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 2018 patients

Mei-Qi Mao  1 , Yu-Xin Ding  1 , Jing Jing  1 , Zhen-Wei Tang  1 , Yu-Jie Miao  1 , Xiao-Shuang Yang  1 , Yu-Hong Chen  1 , Sheng-Zhao Chen  1 , Xian-Jie Wu  1 , Zhong-Fa Lu  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The evaluation of JAK inhibitors on effect and safety in alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 2018 patients

Mei-Qi Mao et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

Background: JAK inhibitors treat various autoimmune diseases, but an updated systematic review in treating alopecia areata is currently lacking.

Objective: Evaluate the specific efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors in alopecia areata by systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Eligible studies in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials up to May 30, 2022, were searched. We enrolled in randomized controlled trials and observational studies of applying JAK inhibitors in alopecia areata.

Results: 6 randomized controlled trials with 1455 patients exhibited SALT50 (odd ratio [OR], 5.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.49-7.38), SALT90 (OR, 7.40; 95% CI, 4.34-12.67) and change in SALT score (weighted mean difference [WSD], 5.55; 95% CI, 2.60-8.50) compared to the placebo. The proportion of 26 observational studies with 563 patients of SALT5 was 0.71(95% CI, 0.65-0.78), SALT50 was 0.54(95% CI 0.46-0.63), SALT90 was 0.33(95% CI, 0.24-0.42), and SALT score (WSD, -2.18; 95% CI, -3.12 to -1.23) compared with baseline. Any adverse effects occurred in 921 of 1508 patients; a total of 30 patients discontinued the trial owing to adverse reactions.

Limitations: Few randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and insufficiency of eligible data.

Conclusion: JAK inhibitors are effective in alopecia areata, although associated with an increased risk.

Keywords: JAK inhibitors; JAK/STAT (janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription); alopecia areata; immune-mediated diseases; meta-analysis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
JAKi efficacy compared to placebo on SALT score improvement in randomized controlled trials. CI, Confidence interval; JAKi, Janus kinase inhibitor; SALT, Severity in Alopecia Tool.
Figure 2
Figure 2
JAK inhibitors efficacy compared to baseline on SALT score in observation studies. CI, Confidence interval; JAK, Janus kinase; SALT, Severity in Alopecia Tool.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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