Sebaceous Gland Loss and Inflammation in Scarring Alopecia: A Potential Role in Pathogenesis

The study conducted 13 years ago, titled "Sebaceous gland loss and inflammation in scarring alopecia: A potential role in pathogenesis", reviewed 90 specimens with a clinical history of alopecia, both scarring and non-scarring. The results showed that sebaceous gland loss was much more common in cases of scarring alopecia (SA), with over 53% of follicles on average, compared to non-SA which had less than 5% of follicles on average. Many cases of SA showed affected follicles with an absence of sebaceous glands. The study concluded that sebaceous gland loss is a common and early finding among SA and that inflammation of the sebaceous gland and/or duct may play a role in initiating or accelerating follicular damage during the development of SA.