The Pattern and Profile of Alopecia Areata in Singapore: A Study of 219 Asians

The study examined 219 Asian patients with alopecia areata in Singapore, revealing an incidence rate of 3.8% and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.3. Most patients were Chinese (79%), with a median age of 25.2 years, and 85.5% experienced their first episode before age 40. Extensive alopecia was more common in younger patients, and 10.5% had nail changes. A significant number had a personal or family history of atopy (60.7%), but no strong link was found between atopy and alopecia extent. Associated diseases included thyroid disease (2.3%) and vitiligo (4.1%). Treatments like intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and squaric acid dibutyl ester showed significant improvement in hair regrowth. Stressful events were recalled by 9.8% of respondents, and extensive alopecia led to more psychological effects, particularly in males. The study concluded that alopecia areata predominantly affected young individuals and emphasized the importance of a holistic management approach due to its psychological impact.