Evidence Based Hair

Season 8, Episode 11 Exploring the Link Between Alopecia Areata and Cardiovascular Disease

Welcome to the final episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast for 2024, hosted by Dr. Jeff Donovan, a leading dermatologist and hair loss specialist. In this episode, Dr. Donovan dives into the complex relationship between alopecia areata and cardiovascular risk, exploring recent studies that offer conflicting conclusions. Dr. Donovan reviews a notable study published in JAD International, which leverages the All of Us Research Program database to investigate whether alopecia areata patients are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. The study reveals intriguing findings, suggesting a potential link with chronic kidney disease and hyperlipidemia, but not with heart disease. As the podcast unfolds, Dr. Donovan discusses the broader implications of these findings, the need for long-term studies, and the ongoing debate in the medical community. He also invites listeners to a special event celebrating the top 20 studies of 2024. Join Dr. Donovan as he navigates through the complexities of hair loss research, empowering practitioners and patients alike with evidence-based insights. For more information on the Donovan Hair Academy's programs, visit their website.     STUDIES REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Ambika Nohria, Jill T Shah, Deesha Desai, Lina Alhanshali, Jenne Ingrassia, Alisa Femia, Michael Garshick, Jerry Shapiro, Kristen I Lo Sicco. Alopecia areata and cardiovascular comorbidities: A cross-sectional analysis of the All of Us research program. JAAD Int. 2024 Apr 8:16:46-48. doi: 10.1016/j.jdin.2024.03.024. eCollection 2024 Sep.   Lee et al. Alopecia areata is not a risk factor for heart diseases: A 10-year retrospective cohort study. PLoS One. 2021. Conic RRZ et al. Prevalence of cardiac and metabolic diseases among patients with alopecia areata. JEADV 2021

Season 8, Episode 10. Unveiling New Treatments for Dissecting Cellulitis: A Closer Look at Upadacitinib

Welcome to the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, hosted by dermatologist and hair loss specialist Dr. Jeff Donovan. In this episode, Dr. Donovan explores a groundbreaking study published in the journal Curious, highlighting the effectiveness of the JAK1 inhibitor, upadacitinib, in treating recalcitrant dissecting cellulitis of the scalp. Dissecting cellulitis, a challenging form of scarring alopecia, often affects males and presents with debilitating symptoms. While traditional treatments like isotretinoin and antibiotics offer relief for some, they aren't always effective. The study discusses a case where upadacitinib brought significant improvement after conventional options were exhausted. Dr. Donovan provides a comprehensive overview of the study, emphasizing the potential of JAK inhibitors as third-line treatments in managing persistent dissecting cellulitis. He also shares insights on the broader implications for future research and treatment strategies. Join Dr. Donovan next week for an analysis of a study on alopecia areata and cardiovascular comorbidities, and don't miss the annual "Top 20 of 2024" event on December 30th. For more information about the Donovan Hair Academy's programs, visit their website.     STUDY REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Zahidul Islam, Michelle Toker, Isha M Gandhi, Ariel Sher, Kristina Campto. Improvement of Recalcitrant Dissecting Cellulitis of the Scalp After a Trial of Upadacitinib. Cureus . 2024 Jan 16;16(1):e52377. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52377. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Season 8, Episode 9: Dupilumab: A Promising Treatment for Pediatric Alopecia Areata

Welcome to the latest episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, hosted by dermatologist and hair loss specialist Dr. Jeff Donovan. In this episode, we delve into an intriguing study titled "Dupilumab Induces Hair Regrowth in Pediatric Alopecia Areata," which explores the potential of dupilumab as a treatment for children suffering from both alopecia areata and atopic dermatitis. Dr. Donovan discusses the study's findings, highlighting how dupilumab has shown promise in improving hair growth in this unique patient population. With a good safety profile, dupilumab emerges as a viable option alongside JAK inhibitors for managing these conditions. The episode also covers the study's methodology and results, emphasizing the significant reduction in SALT scores among the participants. Join Dr. Donovan as he shares insights into the complexities of treating pediatric alopecia areata and the potential of dupilumab to offer new hope for patients and clinicians alike. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we'll explore the use of upadacitinib in managing dissecting cellulitis.     STUDY REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Eden David, Neda Shokrian, Ester Del Duca, Marguerite Meariman, Jacob Glickman, Sabrina Ghalili, Seungyeon Jung, Kathryn Tan, Benjamin Ungar, Emma Guttman-Yassky. Dupilumab induces hair regrowth in pediatric alopecia areata: a real-world, single-center observational study. Arch Dermatol Res . 2024 Jul 23;316(7):487. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-03225-4.

Season 8, Episode 8: Exploring Topical Metformin for Treating CCCA

Welcome to the latest episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, hosted by dermatologist and hair loss specialist, Dr. Jeff Donovan. As the director of the Donovan Hair Academy, Dr. Donovan is committed to educating both the public and practitioners about hair loss through comprehensive training programs. In this episode, Dr. Donovan dives into an intriguing study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, which examines the use of topical metformin 10% cream in treating Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA). This scarring alopecia primarily affects Black women and is often underdiagnosed. The study highlights a case where topical metformin showed promise in hair regrowth for a patient unresponsive to traditional treatments. Dr. Donovan discusses the potential of topical metformin as a second-line treatment option alongside oral metformin, PRP, and JAK inhibitors, while emphasizing the importance of first-line treatments such as steroid injections and topical steroids. He also addresses the challenges of compounding metformin in various formulations, which can affect its efficacy. Stay tuned for next week's episode, where Dr. Donovan will explore new research on alopecia areata and dupilumab. Join us as we continue to unravel the complexities of hair loss and discover innovative treatments that could benefit patients worldwide.   STUDY REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE   Bárbara Vieira Granja et al. Treatment of central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia with topical metformin 10% cream: case report and literature review. Int J Dermatol . 2024 Jun 23. doi: 10.1111/ijd.17345. Online ahead of print

Season 8 Episode 7: Exploring Oral Metformin's Role in Treating CCCA

Welcome to the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, hosted by dermatologist and hair loss specialist Dr. Jeff Donovan. As the director of the Donovan Hair Academy, Dr. Donovan is dedicated to educating the public and training practitioners in the complex field of hair loss. In this episode, Dr. Donovan delves into a fascinating study from JAMA Dermatology that examines the effects of low-dose metformin on Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA). The study reveals intriguing changes in gene expression that could offer new insights into treating this underdiagnosed condition, primarily affecting black women. Despite the study's small size and retrospective nature, the findings highlight metformin's potential role in modifying pathways related to scarring alopecia and hair growth. Dr. Donovan emphasizes the need for further research to understand metformin's efficacy and optimal dosing for CCCA patients. Join us next week as Dr. Donovan discusses the use of metformin cream in CCCA, continuing the exploration of innovative treatments in hair loss management. Stay informed and empowered to engage in meaningful discussions with hair loss practitioners.     STUDY REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Aaron Bao et al. Low-Dose Metformin and Profibrotic Signature in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia. JAMA Dermatol . 2024 Sep 4:e243062. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.3062. Online ahead of print.