tacrolimus and Osteoporosis--Postmenopausal

After osteoporotic fracture or low bone mineral density measurements, it is necessary to look for secondary causes of osteoporosis, such as drugs. Corticosteroids are the most common cause of drug-induced metabolic bone disease. Other drugs responsible for bone disease include: aromatase inhibitors, GnRH agonists, anticonvulsants, heparin, and L thyroxin at TSH-suppressive doses. Confirmation is required of data about neuroleptics and antivitamin K.

Topics: Aged; Animals; Anticoagulants; Anticonvulsants; Antipsychotic Agents; Aromatase Inhibitors; Bone Density; Child; Cyclosporins; Densitometry; Disease Progression; Diuretics; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fractures, Bone; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Iatrogenic Disease; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lithium Compounds; Male; Menopause; Methotrexate; Middle Aged; Osteomalacia; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal; Placebos; Prospective Studies; Protease Inhibitors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Tacrolimus; Thyroid Hormones; Time Factors

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a type of scarring hair loss primarily observed in postmenopausal women and characterized by fronto-tempero-parietal hairline recession, perifollicular erythema, and loss of eyebrows. The incidence is unknown, but the number of women presenting with this condition has significantly increased in recent years. No effective therapy has been established.. The purpose of this study is to present pertinent demographic and clinical findings of patients with FFA seen at an academic hair loss clinic and their responses to various therapeutic interventions.. Patients seen at the Duke University Hair Disorders Research and Treatment Center, Durham, NC, between 2004 and 2011 who met FFA inclusion criteria and signed an informed consent form for participation in the Duke University Hair Disorders Research and Treatment Center database were included in this review.. Nineteen female patients with FFA met our inclusion criteria, the majority of whom were white and postmenopausal. A number of treatments, including topical and intralesional steroids, antibiotics, and immunomodulators, were used with disappointing results in most patients. However, the majority of patients on dutasteride experienced disease stabilization.. This was a retrospective review and outside clinic records were occasionally incomplete.. FFA is an increasingly common form of scarring hair loss, but the origin remains unknown. Without clear understanding of the pathogenesis and evolution of this condition, it is not surprising that treatments to date have been minimally or not effective. At our institution, dutasteride was most effective in halting disease progression, although no therapy was associated with significant hair regrowth.

Topics: 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; Adult; Aged; Alopecia; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azasteroids; Cicatrix; Dutasteride; Enzyme Inhibitors; Eyebrows; Female; Fibrosis; Forehead; Hospitals, University; Humans; Hydroxychloroquine; Immunosuppressive Agents; Lichen Planus; Methotrexate; Middle Aged; Minocycline; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal; Retrospective Studies; Scalp; Tacrolimus; Treatment Outcome