Trichoscopy of syphilitic alopecia: a systematic review

To the Editor: Secondary syphilis may manifest as syphilitic alopecia (SA), a non-scarring alopecia with a prevalence ranging from 3% to 22%.1 Examination of the hair using a dermatoscope, a non-invasive bedside test known as trichoscopy, may help differentiate SA from other forms of hair loss.2 3 This systematic review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to summarise published data on trichoscopic findings of SA (PROSPERO CRD42018092159). Details of the searches (from inception to 22 April 2021), study selection, data extraction and quality assessment are provided in and . Across 16 studies, 23 patients (96% male, mean age 34 years) were reported (table 1). The average time to presentation was 2 months. Moth-eaten and diffuse patterns of alopecia were seen in 78% and 22% of patients respectively; no studies reported a mixed pattern of alopecia. Essential SA (alopecia...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Tags: Research letter Source Type: research