Korean J Dermatol.  2024 Nov;62(9):527-532.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Alopecia Areata in Patients with Concomitant Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Single-Center Case Series

• Kang DH
• Kwon SH
• Lew BL

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is common causes of non-scarring hair loss. Recently, a relationship with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was observed. Herein, we introduced cases of AA in patients with IBD. Six patients were diagnosed with AA and IBD. Three presented with alopecia totalis (AT), two presented with patchy-type AA, and one demonstrated acute diffuse and total alopecia. The most frequent type of IBD was ulcerative colitis (UC), except for one Crohn’s disease. The onset of AA relative to that of IBD was mixed; AA developed previously in all adolescents. Only one was receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha agents for IBD treatment and the hair loss worsened. Patients with patchy-type AA demonstrated favorable outcomes rather than patients with AT. This study confirmed that the ratio of AT and UC was high, suggesting that alopecia is more strongly associated with UC. Also, we emphasize the importance of careful observation of IBD symptoms in patients with AA, especially in adolescents.

Keyword

Alopecia areata; Alopecia universalis; Crohn disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; Ulcerative colitis