The Department of Dermatology and Venereology at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has introduced a new treatment for people who suffer from hair loss due to autoimmune disorder.
“The new method of treatment has been very effective and significant. About 30 people have been treated for alopecia areata, a common autoimmune disorder, resulting in hair loss. We have been providing the treatment using a new medication named Tofacitinib. About 90% of them have shown significant improvements,” said Prof Dr Martin Steinhoff, chairman, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, HMC.
Dr Steinhoff along with Dr Amina al-Obaidali, consultant, at the department, was speaking to the media about the disease and the new and innovative methods of treatment available at his department.
Dr Steinhoff said that Tofacitinib, a rheumatoid arthritis medicine is used since 2015 and has been proven safe with very limited side-effects.
“We introduced the medicine at HMC in 2017 and within two years, we have treated about 30 patients. In the majority cases of alopecia areata, hair falls out in small patches. The immune system plays a significant role in this condition. Tofacitinib is mainly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and it has recently been shown to be effective in treating alopecia areata,” he explained.
“Tofacitinib is a medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It was introduced at HMC ahead of many other countries. This medication is available only at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in Rumailah Hospital and it can only be prescribed by experienced dermatologists,” added Dr Steinhoff.
According to Dr al-Obaidali, many patients who approached the department for treatment had been suffering emotionally due to alopecia areata as it resulted in
significant hair loss.
“The patients were suffering especially emotionally due to the loss of hair. However, our treatment was able to help them as most of them could be cured of the diseases and could get their hair back. Most of them have got very good treatment and are leading a normal life,” said Dr al-Obaidali.
The Department of Dermatology and Venereology at the HMC as a centre of excellence for skin care, will provide new services and wide range of outpatient clinics for all
important subspecialities.
“The Department of Dermatology and Venereology has been awarded as a centre of excellence in 2018, for skin diseases. Because we have introduced several new diagnostics and treatments for varies skin diseases. We are highly dedicated to improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin diseases among the people in Qatar,” added
Dr Steinhoff.