Progress in explaining AA pathogenesis, such as identification of the JAK-STAT pathway, has helped determine treatment targets for AA. However, Dr Brittany Craiglow recognises that “We don’t understand that initial inciting event that causes alopecia areata. Patients come into the clinic fixated on the ‘why,’ which is still not well understood.”

Although Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for AA “can be really life-changing for patients”, Dr Leila Asfour observes that “these are not cures. Often, patients come to the clinic with heightened expectations.” Play the podcast to learn the nuances of using JAK inhibitors for long-term management of AA.

Treatment selection and planning are fundamental to clinical disease management, but patients also “want to talk to someone who not only understands the condition medically, but the impact that it’s going to have on the individual, and present them with ways forward.” Listen to Damien Hamber, a patient with alopecia areata universalis and patient advocate, and Dr Brittany Craiglow, a dermatologist, unpack the elements of best-practice clinical management for AA.

Dermatologist Dr Brittany Craiglow and Damien Hamber, a patient with alopecia areata universalis, describe the unmet medical needs in alopecia areata (AA) management, and the impact of these on patients. Dr Craiglow emphasises for health care professionals, “As a physician…the most important things that I can do is acknowledge the experience and normalise that this is hard.” Play Podcast 1 to learn more.