The Associated Burden of Mental Health Conditions in Alopecia Areata: A Population-Based Study in UK Primary Care

    February 2022 in “ British Journal of Dermatology ”
    A. E. Macbeth, Susan Holmes, Matthew Harries, Wing Sin Chiu, Christos Tziotzios, Simon de Lusignan, A.G. Messenger, Andrew R. Thompson
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    TLDR People with alopecia areata have a higher risk of depression and anxiety, and often face unemployment and work absences.
    The study involved 5435 adults with Alopecia Areata (AA) and 21,740 controls. It found that depression and anxiety were more prevalent in people with AA, with a 30-38% higher risk of new-onset depression or anxiety. The study also found higher rates of unemployment and time off work among people with AA. Antidepressant prescriptions were more common in people with AA, but less than 10% of either group with a mental health condition were referred for nonpharmacological management. The study suggests a bidirectional association between major depressive disorder and AA, with a 34% increased risk of developing major depressive disorder in patients with AA, and a 90% increased risk of developing AA in patients with major depressive disorder. The study concludes that there is an increased burden of comorbid mental health conditions in patients with AA, highlighting the need for routine screening for psychological distress and consideration of treatment for mental health conditions alongside the physical aspects of the disease.
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