Alopecia Areata During Etanercept Therapy

PURPOSE: To report a case of alopecia areata occurring during anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy. METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: The authors describe a 44-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis who developed 6 months of patchy hair loss consistent with alopecia areata while undergoing treatment with etanercept. CONCLUSIONS: Although anti-TNF agents are expected to impede autoimmune-related processes such as alopecia areata, these drugs have been found to be causally related to the development of alopecia areata. Ophthalmologists who are increasing involved in using these biologic agents should be aware of possible side effects.