Frequency and Associated Factors of Hair Loss Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

In a 2015 retrospective study of 150 patients from an adult IBD clinic, researchers found that 33% of patients reported hair loss. The study revealed no association between hair loss and patient age, gender, IBD type, or disease duration. However, the use of mesalamine and anti-TNF medications was associated with a lower frequency of hair loss, with adjusted odds ratios of 0.43 and 0.28, respectively. Despite limitations such as a small sample size and potential recall bias, the study suggests that hair loss is a common issue for IBD patients and that certain medications may reduce the risk. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind hair loss in this population and to establish effective management strategies.