Alopecia Areata and Thyroid Dysfunction Association- A Study from Eastern Nepal

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Endocrinology
• Autoimmune diseases

Background:

• Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring alopecia with an unclear etiology, though an autoimmune process is strongly suspected.
• Thyroid disorders are frequently associated with alopecia areata, suggesting a potential link.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between thyroid dysfunction and alopecia areata.
• To compare thyroid function in alopecia areata patients with healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-five patients with alopecia areata and 75 age/sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled.
• Thyroid function tests were performed using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay.
• Data included patient history, examination findings, and Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of thyroid disorder was significantly higher in the alopecia areata group (17.3%) compared to controls (1.3%).
• Alopecia areata patients with abnormal thyroid function had higher disease severity (median SALT score) than those with normal thyroid function.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between alopecia areata and thyroid dysfunction.
• Thyroid function evaluation should be considered in individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata.
• Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to generalize these findings.