Dynamics of Lipid Profile in Patients With Alopecia Areata Treated With Ritlecitinib: A Descriptive, Retrospective,...

Despite the established therapeutic potential of ritlecitinib for alopecia areata (AA), real-world evidence regarding its effects on lipid metabolism remains limited.

To characterize the effects of ritlecitinib therapy on lipid profiles in patients with AA.

In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we evaluated 55 patients with AA who completed ≥24 weeks of ritlecitinib therapy. Fasting serum lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-HDL-C), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Comparative analyses were conducted between patients with normal versus abnormal baseline lipid profiles.

Ritlecitinib therapy demonstrated stability across conventional lipid parameters throughout the 24 week observation period. A clinically significant reduction in AIP was observed at 12 weeks (median change: -0.31, 95% CI: -0.37 to -0.21; P < .05). Patients with baseline dyslipidemia exhibited progressive improvement in atherogenic lipid fractions, suggesting a potential therapeutic modulation of lipid metabolism.

Single-center and Chinese-limited cohort.

These real-world data suggest ritlecitinib maintains a favorable lipid safety profile while potentially conferring metabolic benefits for AA patients with preexisting dyslipidemia.