The Use of Doxycycline in Lichen Planopilaris and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: A Retrospective Study of 138 Patients at a Tertiary Referral Clinic
Janice Tiao, MD; Lynne J. Goldberg, MD, Department of Dermatology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Disclosures: None.
Janice Tiao, MD
Lichen planopilaris (LPP) and frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) are lymphocyte-mediated primary cicatricial alopecias.1 They are rare, and limited evidence exists on treatment options.1,2 The best data supports hydroxychloroquine as the first-line systemic therapeutic agent,1,3 though expert opinion cites doxycycline as an acceptable first-line alternative and small series support its potential efficacy.4-6 The purpose of this study is to describe the use of doxycycline in patients with LPP and FFA at a single tertiary referral clinic.
Methods
After obtaining institutional review board approval, the authors reviewed the medical records of 138 patients with LPP and FFA who presented to the outpatient specialty hair clinic at Boston University Medical Center from 2015-2017.
Results
Of 138 subjects, 1 was excluded because there was no electronic medical record on file. Thirty-one subjects had a diagnosis of LPP, 103 had a diagnosis of FFA, and 3 were diagnosed with both LPP and FFA. Of the 31 LPP-only subjects, 16 had been prescribed doxycycline for their condition. Of these subjects, 9 (56.3%) reported or were observed to improve or stabilize, 2 (12.5%) did not improve, and 5 (31.3%) had unclear response or were lost to follow-up. Of the 106 subjects with FFA, 40 had been prescribed doxycycline for their condition. Of these 40 subjects, 17 (42.5%) were felt to improve or stabilize, 7 (17.5%) did not improve, and 15 (37.5%) had unclear response or were lost to follow-up. The average duration of use was 8 months. Of note, 14 of 56 (25%) subjects who took doxycycline discontinued the medication secondary to side effects, most commonly gastrointestinal.
Conclusion
Although a number of subjects did not tolerate the medication, the data confirm that doxycycline may be helpful in the treatment of LPP and FFA.
References
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- Ochoa BE, King LE, Price VH. Lichen planopilaris: annual incidence in four hair referral centers in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58:352-353.
- Errichetti E, Figini M, Croatto M, et al. Therapeutic management of classic lichen planopilaris: a systematic review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:91-102.
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- Lyakhovitsky A, Amichai B, Sizopoulou C, et al. A case series of 46 patients with lichen planopilaris: demographics, clinical evaluation, and treatment experience. J Dermatolog Treat. 2015;26:275-279.
- Samrao A, Chew A-I, Price V. Frontal fibrosing alopecia: a clinical review of 36 patients. Br J Dermatol. 2010;163:1296-1300.