Concurrent Eosinophilia Increases the Prevalence of Nail Abnormalities and Severity of Hair Loss in Patients With Alopecia Areata

January 2024 in “ BioMed Research International ”

Giovanni Damiani, Laura Cristina Gironi, Rosalynn R.Z. Conic, Massimo Del Fabbro, Paola Savoia, Marco Fiore, Wilma F. Bergfeld

alopecia areata eosinophilia nail abnormalities atopia hair loss IL-5 inhibitors

Studysummary This study found that alopecia areata patients with eosinophilia were more likely to have severe hair loss, atopia, and nail abnormalities compared to those without eosinophilia.

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This study investigated the relationship between alopecia areata (AA) and eosinophilia in a sample of 205 patients, finding that 18.5% had concurrent eosinophilia. These patients exhibited a higher prevalence of atopia and nail abnormalities compared to those without eosinophilia, and they had 3.70 times higher odds of experiencing more severe hair loss. The findings suggest that AA patients with eosinophilia have distinct clinical characteristics, indicating that future research could explore the potential use of IL-5 inhibitors for treatment.

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Research cited in this study

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research Trichoscopy Patterns in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2 citations , June 2023 in “Skin Research and Technology”

This study reviewed 39 studies with 3204 patients to identify characteristic trichoscopic findings in alopecia areata, highlighting yellow and black dots, broken, short vellus, and tapering hairs as key indicators. It found no single diagnostic trichoscopic finding but observed trichoscopy's utility in monitoring treatment response.

research Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Another Atopy-Related Alopecia Areata Trigger?

4 citations , November 2015 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This case study highlights a patient with alopecia areata who also has eosinophilic esophagitis, suggesting it may be considered an atopic disease and a potential trigger for alopecia areata in affected patients.

research Diagnostic Usefulness of a Peribulbar Eosinophilic Infiltrate in Alopecia Areata

19 citations , September 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Eosinophilic infiltrate is not a reliable indicator for diagnosing chronic alopecia areata.

research Recent Advances in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hair Loss Disease Alopecia Areata

106 citations , January 2013 in “Clinical and Developmental Immunology”

This review discusses the pathogenesis of alopecia areata, highlighting the role of immune privilege collapse in hair follicles but reports no clinical results.

Diffuse Alopecia Areata Is Associated With Intense Inflammatory Infiltration and CD8+ T Cells in Hair Loss Regions and an Increase in Serum IgE Level

research Diffuse Alopecia Areata Is Associated With Intense Inflammatory Infiltration and CD8+ T Cells in Hair Loss Regions and an Increase in Serum IgE Level

24 citations , January 2012 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This study suggests that hypersensitivity and increased serum IgE levels might contribute to the pathogenesis of diffuse alopecia areata through intense local inflammatory infiltration.

research Histologic Features of Alopecia Areata Other Than Peribulbar Lymphocytic Infiltrates

53 citations , September 2011

Other common signs, not just the well-known immune cells around hair bulbs, are important for diagnosing hair loss from alopecia areata.

research Autoimmunity: Alopecia Areata

143 citations , January 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This review discusses the autoimmune nature of alopecia areata, potential therapeutic targets, and highlights the need for further studies on immunomodulatory treatments and genetic factors, but it reports no new clinical results.

research Eosinophils in Fibrous Tracts and Near Hair Bulbs: A Helpful Diagnostic Feature of Alopecia Areata

22 citations , February 2000 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Eosinophils are not a reliable marker for diagnosing alopecia areata.

research Eosinophils in Fibrous Tracts and Near Hair Bulbs: A Helpful Diagnostic Feature of Alopecia Areata

64 citations , July 1997 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that eosinophils are a useful diagnostic feature for alopecia areata, especially when the typical "swarm of bees" lymphoid infiltrate is absent, helping differentiate it from trichotillomania.