Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39969772›Full record

ReviewDermatology and therapy2025

Alopecia Areata Incognita: Current Evidence.

Giselle Rodríguez-Tamez, Narges Maskan-Bermudez, Antonella Tosti

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Dermatology and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. [Alopecia areata incognita-Tosti alopecia].Dermatologie (Heidelberg, Germany) · 2026
    Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Giselle Rodríguez-TamezDermatology Department, University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Francisco I. Madero y Av. Gonzalitos S/N, Mitras Centro, 64460, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. dra.gisellerdz@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5872-2423
Narges Maskan-BermudezDr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami Hospital South Bldg. Suites K-M, 1295 NW 14Th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7178-8147
Antonella TostiDr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami Hospital South Bldg. Suites K-M, 1295 NW 14Th St, Miami, FL, 33125, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5516-4043

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAlopecia areata incognita (AAI) represents a distinct subtype of alopecia areata (AA), characterized by profound hair shedding and diffuse thinning. Despite being initially described in 1987, AAI remains underdiagnosed, with limited published reports. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate the current evidence concerning AAI pathogenesis, clinical presentation, trichoscopic and histopathologic attributes, differential diagnoses, and available treatment modalities.

methodsPubMed searches were performed to identify all articles discussing AAI published up to September 2024.

resultsWe identified 28 articles encompassing AAI epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, trichoscopic findings, histopathologic characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment options. LIMITATIONS: The data primarily stem from observational studies, case reports, case series, and a pilot study. The establishment of diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols necessitates more extensive and well-controlled studies.

conclusionAlopecia areata incognita is a distinctive form of AA, sharing similarities with telogen effluvium (TE) and showing potential associations with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). It has an acute onset and results in sudden diffuse hair loss. While diagnostic challenges persist, combining clinical, trichoscopic, and histopathologic evaluations aids in accurate identification. AAI typically responds favorably to topical steroids and has a better prognosis than other subtypes of AA.

Indexed as

Alopecia areataAlopecia areata incognitaDiffuse alopecia areataDiffuse hair lossTreatmentTrichoscopy

Identifiers

PMID39969772
PMCPMC11908991

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.