Clinical trials are a form of research where a medical intervention is studied with the help of the patient community. Clinical trials are an important step to improving areas of care, such as treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of a medical disease or condition.
For alopecia areata, clinical trials are focused on improving treatment options for hair growth, especially advanced forms of alopecia areata (totalis and universalis) where current available treatments are often less successful.
The participation of the public in clinical trial research is essential in the search for a cure for alopecia areata. Clinical trials help researchers determine whether a new treatment is safe and effective, and guides progress towards better patient care.
What Should You Know about a Clinical Trial?
Before you say yes to joining a clinical trial, you should know as much as you can about the trial itself and who it’s being conducted by. Ask questions of the clinical trial team and make sure you are satisfied with the answers before making your decision.
Who is involved in a clinical trial?
Principal Investigator: the person leading the clinical trial, often a medical doctor. There is often a clinical trial team made up of health care professionals as well as patients who provide input into what it is like living with the disease or condition.
Eligibility Criteria: The study will state who is eligible to participate. For instance, one alopecia areata clinical trial may be looking for people who have more than 50% hair loss, and another clinical trial may have different criteria.
Inclusion Criteria: Factors that mean you can participate in a clinical trial.
Exclusion Criteria: Factors that disqualify you from participating.
These factors are characteristics such as gender, age, type of alopecia areata, treatment history, and other medical concerns.
How is a clinical trial run?
Protocol: The research plan according to which the clinical trial is run. The protocol should answer a number of questions including,
- The reason for conducting the study
- Who may participate (eligibility conditions)
- Number of participants needed
- Schedule of tests, procedures, or drug dosages
- Length of study
- What information will be collected from participants
Why are Clinical Trials Important?
It is a common misconception that alopecia areata is purely a cosmetic issue. Recent research has shown that the emotional and psychosocial impacts of alopecia areata can be significant and debilitating. There are no successful long-term treatments for individuals with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis which would improve quality of life for many living with this disease.