Characteristics and Management of Patients with Alopecia Areata and Selected Comorbid Conditions: Results from a Survey in Five European Countries

    March 2024 in “ Dermatology and therapy ”
    Sergio Vañó‐Galván, Alexander Egeberg, Bianca Maria Piraccini, Simran Marwaha, Catherine Reed, Erin Johansson, Frédérick Durand, Anthony Bewley
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    TLDR AA patients with comorbid conditions face more severe hair loss and need specific treatments.
    Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition causing non-scarring hair loss, often accompanied by significant psychosocial burden. A survey conducted in five European countries analyzed data from 2083 AA patients, revealing that 27% had at least one atopic, autoimmune, or psychiatric comorbid condition. These patients, who were predominantly women with a mean age of 37.6 years, exhibited more severe AA and a higher likelihood of disease progression compared to those without comorbidities. Scalp hair loss was the primary symptom, and patients with comorbidities were more frequently treated with topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical immunotherapy, systemic immunosuppressants, and oral Janus kinase inhibitors. This study highlights the increased burden and specific management needs of AA patients with comorbid conditions.
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