Association Between Atopic Dermatitis and Alopecia Areata

According to a study published in Dermatitis, there is a 2-way association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and alopecia areata (AA).

Researchers aimed to investigate the connection between AD and AA by analyzing a total of 29 studies involving 11 233 448 participants and determining the prevalence and incidence of each condition in relation to the other.

The comprehensive search covered multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science, from the inception of each database up to November 10, 2022. The researchers were particularly interested in assessing the prevalence/incidence of AA in patients with AD and vice versa, as there appeared to be a potential bilateral association between the two diseases. Among the studies included in the analysis, 23 studies focused on AA as the exposure factor, 7 studies examined AD as the exposure factor, and 1 study considered both conditions.

The meta-analysis revealed that in patients with AA, the prevalence of AD was 11.2% (with a confidence interval of 7.7%-15.1%), whereas in patients with AD, the prevalence of AA was 3.2% (with a confidence interval of 0.0%-11.5%). The incidence of AD in AA patients was also found to vary with age. Specifically, there was a substantial association between AD and AA when AA was the exposure factor, with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.537 (with a confidence interval of 2.409-8.544). Similarly, when AD was the exposure factor, there was a significant association with AA, with an OR of 2.643 (with a confidence interval of 1.737-3.995).

“In conclusion, this meta-analysis demonstrated the 2-way association between AD and AA, providing a clinical reference for disease prevention and control,” the authors concluded.

Reference
Sun R, Kong D. Bilateral association between atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Dermatitis. Published online July 20,2023. doi:10.1089/derm.2023.0114