Comorbidities in Patients with Alopecia Areata

This study reviewed the Cleveland Clinic Alopecia Registry to assess comorbidities in 584 patients with alopecia areata (AA) compared to 172 controls with seborrheic dermatitis. It found that AA patients had higher rates of eczema, thyroid disorders, vitamin-D deficiency, and anemia, while diabetes mellitus and irritable bowel syndrome were less common. Among females, elevated androgen levels and ovarian cysts were more prevalent. The study highlighted the importance of understanding these comorbidities for better treatment of AA, though it noted limitations such as potential differences in the control group's comorbidity profile and the tertiary care setting of the study.