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Videocapillaroscopic alterations in alopecia areata
Agnieszka Gerkowicz1, Dorota Krasowska, Aldona Pietrzak
1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Paediatric Dermatology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 13, 20-080 Lublin, Poland.
Biomed Research International
|October 29, 2013
Summary
Nailfold videocapillaroscopy revealed microvascular abnormalities in 42% of alopecia areata patients. These findings suggest potential blood supply disturbances in hair follicles, warranting further investigation into their role in hair loss.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Microcirculation Research
- Hair Biology
Background:
- Alopecia areata (AA) is a prevalent hair disorder with unknown pathogenesis.
- Hair follicle blood supply disturbances are hypothesized to contribute to AA.
- Nailfold videocapillaroscopy offers noninvasive in vivo assessment of skin microcirculation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate skin microcirculation in patients with alopecia areata using nailfold videocapillaroscopy.
- To identify potential videocapillaroscopic markers associated with alopecia areata.
Main Methods:
- Nailfold videocapillaroscopy performed on 44 patchy AA patients, 27 alopecia universalis/totalis patients, and 40 healthy controls.
- Standardized protocol for image acquisition.
- Qualitative and quantitative assessment of videocapillaroscopic images.
Main Results:
- Abnormal videocapillaroscopic images were detected in 42% of AA patients.
- Significantly higher prevalence of tortuous, branching capillaries, decreased capillary density, and enlarged capillary loops observed in AA patients compared to controls.
- Specific abnormalities included: tortuous/branching capillaries (P=0.013, P=0.001), decreased density (P=0.009), enlarged efferent limb (P<0.017), and enlarged top loop (P=0.009).
Conclusions:
- Microvascular abnormalities, visualized by nailfold videocapillaroscopy, are present in a subset of alopecia areata patients.
- These findings suggest a potential role for microcirculatory disturbances in AA pathogenesis.
- Further research with larger patient cohorts is needed to elucidate the significance of these videocapillaroscopic alterations in alopecia areata.
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