Ann Dermatol.  2017 Oct;29(5):565-570. 10.5021/ad.2017.29.5.565.

Factors Associated with Severity of Alopecia Areata

• You HR
• Kim SJ

• KMID: 2388907
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2017.29.5.565

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata is the most common cause of localized, nonscarring alopecia. Unfortunately, there are few data regarding clinical features and epidemiology of alopecia areata in Korean patients, and its clinical course and treatment response rates are unpredictable.
OBJECTIVE
This study strived to investigate the differences in clinical profiles according to disease severity and to determine risk factors for severe alopecia areata.
METHODS
A total of 1,137 patients from 2006 to 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were subdivided into two groups: mild-to-moderate and severe alopecia areata. The groups were compared on the basis of age of onset, duration, sex, family history, comorbid disorders including autoimmune diseases, nail changes, and laboratory test results.
RESULTS
Eight hundred eighty-three patients were in the mild-to-moderate alopecia areata group and 254 patients were in the severe group. Average onset age was 30.77±17.66 years and 30.60±16.75 years in the mild-to-moderate and severe groups, respectively. Disease duration was statistically longer in the severe group. Male sex, nail changes, and thyroid diseases were more common in the severe group. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, atopic dermatitis, and family history did not differ between groups. Of the serologic values, only alkaline phosphatase was considerably differing between groups. Male sex, presence of nail changes, and disease duration greater than one year were identified as significant risk factors for severe alopecia areata.
CONCLUSION
This is the largest case analysis in Korean patients with alopecia areata. Clinical profiles stratified by disease severity warrant further study.

Keyword

Alopecia; Alopecia areata; Alopecia universalis; Epidemiology; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Age of Onset
Alkaline Phosphatase
Alopecia Areata*
Alopecia*
Autoimmune Diseases
Dermatitis, Atopic
Diabetes Mellitus
Dyslipidemias
Epidemiology
Humans
Hypertension
Male
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Thyroid Diseases
Alkaline Phosphatase

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