Quality of Life in Patients with Connective Tissue Diseases: Results from the Lupus Extended Autoimmune Phenotype (LEAP) Study
April 2018
in “
Rheumatology
”
Studysummary This study found that 59.7% of lupus patients self-reported alopecia, which was linked to anti-Ro antibody presence and cutaneous SLE symptoms but not to age, ethnicity, or medication.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The LEAP study found that self-reported alopecia was common in lupus patients, affecting 59.7% of the cohort. Alopecia was most often reported as changes in hair texture and volume across the scalp and was associated with the presence of anti-Ro antibodies. It was not related to age or ethnicity but was linked to other cutaneous SLE manifestations like rash (62.5%) and ulceration (47.5%), indicating a disease-related rather than medication-related cause. Additionally, alopecia was associated with a significant burden of anxiety.
