Effects of Age and Sex on the Comorbidities of Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Hospital-Based Study
July 2023
in “
Health science reports
”
alopecia areata hair loss chronic inflammatory disease psychiatric disorders anxiety dermatitis hypothyroidism hyperlipidemia vitamin D deficiency atopic diseases dyslipidemia high blood pressure iron deficiency thyroid function tests AA inflammation mental health issues skin inflammation low thyroid function high cholesterol low vitamin D allergic diseases low iron thyroid tests
TLDR Alopecia Areata is linked to a higher risk of several diseases, which vary with age and sex.
The cross-sectional hospital-based study involved 402 patients with Alopecia Areata (AA), a chronic inflammatory disease causing hair loss. The study found that AA can occur at any age and is associated with an increased risk of various diseases throughout life, including psychiatric disorders, anxiety, dermatitis, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, and vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of these comorbidities can be influenced by the patient's sex, age, and the severity of AA. The study also found a higher prevalence of atopic diseases, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, vitamin D deficiency, and iron deficiency in AA patients compared to the general population. The authors recommend thyroid function tests and psychiatric support for AA patients. The study used retrospective data and did not have a control group, suggesting the need for future prospective studies with high-quality data for more accurate results.
