Perceived Stigma and Mental Health Disorders Among Adults With Alopecia Areata Living in Japan

June 2025 in “ The Journal of Dermatology ”

Norimitsu Saito, Kazumasa Kamei, G. Gautier, Samantha K. Kurosky, Kent A. Hanson, Griffith Bell, Lulu Lee, Nikoletta Sternbach, Akira Yuasa

alopecia areata mental health anxiety depression sleep disorders perceived stigma quality of life AA

Studysummary This study demonstrated that individuals with alopecia areata in Japan experience significant stigma and mental health issues, with perceived stigma and dissatisfaction with hair growth negatively correlated with disease severity.

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Research cited in this study

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research Predictors and Mechanisms of Self-Stigma in Five Chronic Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review

12 citations , September 2024 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This review identified several changeable psychosocial factors, like acceptance, as potential targets for interventions aimed at reducing self-stigma and improving mental health in affected individuals.

Degree of Alignment Between Japanese Patients and Physicians on Alopecia Areata Disease Severity and Treatment Satisfaction: A Real-World Survey

research Degree of Alignment Between Japanese Patients and Physicians on Alopecia Areata Disease Severity and Treatment Satisfaction: A Real-World Survey

December 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

This study observed that patient-physician alignment on alopecia areata severity largely followed Japanese Dermatological Association criteria, yet alignment on treatment satisfaction was lower, with lack of efficacy as the main dissatisfaction reason.

research Economic Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Study of Direct and Indirect Cost in Japan Using Real-World Data

2 citations , July 2023 in “Journal of dermatology”

This study reported that alopecia areata imposes a significant personal and national economic burden in Japan, with estimated total costs of 112.7 billion yen due largely to productivity loss.

research The Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Scoping Review Focusing on Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Work Productivity

10 citations , January 2023 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This review highlights the significant negative impact of alopecia areata on quality of life, mental health, and work, calling for individualized approaches and effective treatments to mitigate these effects.

research Prevalence of Alopecia Areata in Japan: Estimates from a Nationally Representative Sample

18 citations , November 2022 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This study in Japan identified an estimated prevalence of alopecia areata between 1.45% and 2.18%, highlighting a significant psychological burden and potential unmet need for treatment among affected individuals.

research Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Treatment Patterns of Japanese Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Descriptive Study Using Japan Medical Data Center Claims Database

35 citations , November 2022 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that the prevalence of alopecia areata in Japan increased from 2012 to 2019, with allergic diseases as common comorbidities and a need for more effective treatments, particularly for severe and pediatric cases.

research Lifestyle Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

16 citations , January 2022 in “International journal of molecular sciences”

This review summarizes the influences of lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, and diet on the pathogenesis of alopecia areata but reports no new clinical results.

research The Epidemiology of Alopecia Areata: A Population-Based Cohort Study in UK Primary Care

117 citations , July 2021 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study reports that the incidence of alopecia areata is 0.26 per 1000 person-years in the UK, with higher rates among Asian ethnic groups, socially deprived populations, and urban residents.

research A Large Cross-Sectional Survey Study of the Prevalence of Alopecia Areata in the United States

63 citations , March 2020 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This study suggests that the prevalence of alopecia areata in the US remains similar to high estimates from the 1970s, with significant implications for quality of life.

research The Alopecia Areata Investigator Global Assessment Scale: A Measure for Evaluating Clinically Meaningful Success in Clinical Trials

86 citations , January 2020 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study developed the Alopecia Areata Investigator Global Assessment (AA-IGA) to measure scalp-hair loss in alopecia areata patients, incorporating perspectives of both patients and clinicians to define treatment success.

research Alopecia Areata and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

128 citations , February 2016 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that patients with alopecia areata experience significant impairments in health-related quality of life, notably affecting mental health, according to various quality of life assessment tools.

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

144 citations , July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

This review reports that alopecia areata affects about 2% of people globally and is linked with psychiatric and medical comorbidities, highlighting its significant disease burden.