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Public Interest in JAK Inhibitors for Alopecia Areata: A Google Trend Analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss that affects 2% of individuals worldwide. In 2022, the FDA approved JAK-inhibitor baricitinib tablets, for the treatment of severe Alopecia areata.
Objective:
To evaluate the impact of FDA approval and media coverage of JAK-inhibitors for alopecia areata on public interest in JAK-inhibitor treatment for hair loss.
Methods:
We utilized Google Trends and analyzed search activity for keywords “JAK-inhibitor,” “JAK inhibitor + Alopecia Areata,” and “JAK-inhibitor +Hair Loss.”
Results:
Significant increase in searches for "JAK inhibitor + Hair Loss" was observed in 2019-2020 (p=0.0397) and 2020-2021 (p<0.0001), which preceded FDA approval and was likely influenced by media coverage. Notably, significant increase in interest for "JAK inhibitor" and "JAK inhibitor + Alopecia Areata" occurred post-approval in 2021-2022 (p<0.0001), and this interest was sustained through 2023.
Conclusions:
In the context of this heightened public interest, patient education on the specific indications and implications of JAK-inhibitor use is essential. Physicians should guide patients on appropriate indications for JAK-inhibitors and the treatments most suitable for a given hair loss disorder.
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