Bidirectional Association Between Alopecia Areata and Migraine: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

This nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan found a bidirectional association between alopecia areata (AA) and migraine, suggesting shared pathogenic mechanisms. The study included 5,608 patients with AA and 16,650 patients with migraine, with matched control groups. Patients with AA had a significantly increased risk of developing migraine (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 3.26; 95% CI, 2.12-5.01), and patients with migraine had a higher risk of developing AA (aHR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.15-3.32). The study highlights the need for monitoring patients with either condition for the potential development of the other. Limitations include potential underestimation of incidence and lack of certain confounding factors. Further research is needed to understand the shared mechanisms between AA and migraine.