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Longstanding alopecia and nail dystrophy are associated with more severe overall chronic graft-versus-host disease in adults

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 54, pages 469–472 (2019)Cite this article

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Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) causes significant morbidity and mortality for recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) [1, 2]. The multisystem disease is prevalent in an estimated 80% of patients who receive HSCT and most commonly affects the skin, ranging from nonsclerotic epidermal involvement to deep sclerotic disease [3, 4].

The NIH Global Severity of cGVHD uses clinical assessment, laboratory findings, and patient reported symptoms to calculate the overall cGVHD severity score (mild, moderate, or severe). Although “skin” is one of eight organ systems included, grading of hair and nail involvement is not specifically required [4].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Boston, MA, USA

    Jason S. Naftulin, Lauren R. Penzi, Athena Manatis-Lornell, Mariko R. Yasuda & Maryanne Makredes Senna

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Mariko R. Yasuda & Maryanne Makredes Senna

  3. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Dermatology, Boston, MA, USA

    Martina L. Porter

  4. University of Virginia School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Arturo Saavedra

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  1. Jason S. Naftulin
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Correspondence to Maryanne Makredes Senna.

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Co first authors: Jason S. Naftulin, Lauren R. Penzi

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Naftulin, J.S., Penzi, L.R., Manatis-Lornell, A. et al. Longstanding alopecia and nail dystrophy are associated with more severe overall chronic graft-versus-host disease in adults. Bone Marrow Transplant 54, 469–472 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-018-0309-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-018-0309-z

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