The Psychosocial Burden of Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia: A Cross-Sectional Multicentre Study Among Dermatological Outpatients in 13 European Countries

In a study involving 115 patients with hair diseases (37 with alopecia areata and 20 with androgenetic alopecia) and 1359 controls across 13 European countries, it was found that those with hair diseases had significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and a lower quality of life compared to the healthy control group. Alopecia areata patients, in particular, experienced greater psychological distress, which was not directly related to the severity of their condition. Women with alopecia reported notably poorer quality of life, especially in terms of pain, anxiety, and depression. The study suggested the need for psychological assessments and support for these patients, despite limitations such as a small sample size and the use of general quality of life instruments.