Global Sex Disparities in Lifetime Risk of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study, 1990 to 2021

The study systematically analyzed global sex disparities in the lifetime risk of alopecia areata (AA) from 1990 to 2021, finding that females consistently have a higher risk than males, with a stable female-to-male risk ratio of approximately 1.9. By 2021, the lifetime risk was nearly 32% for females and 17% for males, with projections to rise to 34% and 19% by 2050. Females have a broader age-related risk window (20–50 years) and a slower decline in risk with age compared to males (20–30 years). Socioeconomic development further elevates the risk for females more than males, particularly in high-income regions. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific strategies in AA prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, considering the influence of social and economic factors on these disparities.