lek. Kinga Kołcz

ORCID: 0000-0001-8260-3275

The topic of my dissertation is: „ Application of non-invasive imaging methods and analysis of the microbiome in hair and scalp diseases.”

Diseases of the scalp with chronic hair loss include different types of non-scarring alopecia (e.g. alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia) and scarring alopecia (e.g. lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, folliculitis decalvans, discoid lupus erythematosus). The exact aetiopathogenesis of these conditions is not fully understood. The few scientific reports to date suggest a potential link between disorders of the scalp microbiome and the different types of alopecia. Alopecia presents a huge therapeutic challenge and the scale of the problem continues to grow. Undoubtedly, these dermatoses have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. Currently available therapeutic options do not achieve a sustained remission in a significant proportion of patients.

The aim of the research project is to evaluate the potential use of non-invasive imaging methods such as reflectance confocal microscopy, dermatoscopy of hairy skin, optical coherence tomography or high-frequency ultrasonography in diagnosis, prediction of therapeutic response and monitoring of treatment efficacy, as well as comprehensive microbiome analysis using metagenomic methods in hair and scalp diseases in patients with different types of alopecia.

Although non-invasive skin imaging methods are increasingly used in dermatology, little is known about their potential application in scalp diseases. Accurate image characterisation of individual disease entities would contribute to faster and non-invasive diagnosis, without the need to take sections for histopathology.

Evaluation of the imbalance between skin-inhabiting microorganisms in different types of alopecia could allow the development of effective targeted therapies and more efficient treatment of the condition.

Publication:

  • Alopecia Universalis in an Adolescent Successfully Treated with Upadacitinib-A Case Report and Review of the Literature on the Use of JAK Inhibitors in Pediatric Alopecia Areata. Kołcz Kinga, Żychowska Magdalena, Sawińska Edyta, Reich Adam. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023 Mar;13(3):843-856. doi: 10.1007/s13555-023-00889-0. Epub 2023 Jan 13. PMID: 36639612; PMCID: PMC9984583.
  • Forum Dermatologicum, 2023, doi:10.5603/FD.a2023.0014, ISSN 2451-1501, e-ISSN: 2451-151X,” Lichen planus pigmentosus inversus limited to the umbilicus — a case report with dermoscopic findings” Kołcz K., Ostańska E., Kosior K., Reich A., Żychowska M. Forum Dermatologicum, 2023, doi:10.5603/FD.a2023.0014, ISSN 2451-1501, e-ISSN: 2451-151X,”
  • "Reakcja fototoksyczna po zastosowaniu diklofenaku sodowego" Kołcz Kinga, Samotij Dominik, Reich Adam. Forum Dermatologicum, 2022, ISSN 2451-1501, e-ISSN: 2451-151X, DOI:5603/FD.a2022.0027
  • „Trądzik zwyczajny – co każdy lekarz wiedzieć powinien.” Kołcz Kinga, Czuwara Joanna, 2022, Monografia Choroby skóry u dzieci. Pediatria po dyplomie