Hair disorders: JAK inhibitors: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Dermatology · Hair disorders: JAK inhibitors

Sample item

Which oral drug class has been approved for severe alopecia areata through inhibition of interferon gamma signalling?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Janus kinase inhibitors such as baricitinib

JAK inhibitors block cytokine signalling that drives CD8 T cell attack on hair follicles and lead to regrowth in many patients with severe alopecia areata. Relapse is common after stopping, and infection and lipid monitoring are needed.

Option by option

  • A. Antifungal azoles

    Azoles treat fungal infection.

  • B. Janus kinase inhibitors such as baricitinib (correct)

    Correct. Baricitinib is an approved JAK inhibitor for severe disease.

  • C. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors

    5-alpha reductase inhibitors treat androgenetic alopecia.

  • D. Retinoids

    Retinoids are not used for alopecia areata.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is B, Janus kinase inhibitors such as baricitinib. JAK inhibitors block cytokine signalling that drives CD8 T cell attack on hair follicles and lead to regrowth in many patients with severe alopecia areata.

Why is "Antifungal azoles" not the answer?

Azoles treat fungal infection.

Why is "5-alpha reductase inhibitors" not the answer?

5-alpha reductase inhibitors treat androgenetic alopecia.

Why is "Retinoids" not the answer?

Retinoids are not used for alopecia areata.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Hair disorders: JAK inhibitors in Dermatology. Relapse is common after stopping, and infection and lipid monitoring are needed.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Hair disorders: JAK inhibitors?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.