[Association between alopecia areata and atopy]

Alopecia areata (AA) is disease characterized by focally, nonscaring hair loss on the scalp or any hair-bearing surface. It affects 1-2% population of both genders and occurs at all age groups. The etiology is unknown, although the evidence suggests that AA is a clinical reaction pattern that is the result of combinations of genetic and environmental factors. Effluvium capillorum (EC) is a form of nonscarring diffuse hair shedding. The aim of the study was to determine whether AA is statistically associated with atopy. Sixty patients with AA and 50 patients with EC were enrolled in the study. Presence of atopy was elicited by detailed family and/or personal history of atopy and by intracutaneous tests with the most common atopic allergens. Chi square test was carried out to evaluate statistical significance. 32 (46.7%) of patients with AA were males and 32 (53.3%) females. Majority of them were between 17 and 40 years old. Control group consists of 50 EC patients, 11 (22%) males and 39 (78%) females. Family history of atopy was present in 14 (23.3%) patients with AA, and 6 (12%) with EC (X2=2.37, p>o.05). Evidence of atopy in personal history was present in 16 (26.7%) patients with AA in comparison to control group of 5 (10%) patients, (X2=4.81, p<0.05). Intracoutaneous tests were positive to one or more allergens in 22 (36.7%) with AA compared to 9 (18%) patients with EC (X2=4.70, p<0.05). Based on the family and/or personal history of atopy and intracutaneous tests, we could confirm an atopic constitution in 30% of our AA patients. The frequency of atopy was significantly higher in patients with AA than in controls (30%/10%, X2=6.47, p<0.05). To conclude, our study shows a significant association between AA and atopy.