Comorbidities of Alopecia Areata: Effects of Age and Sex

According to a study published in Health Science Reports, sex and age could affect comorbidities in alopecia areata (AA).

Researchers aimed to investigate the association between age, sex, and comorbidities in patients with AA. The study included 402 patients with AA referred to hospitals between 2018 and 2021. The researchers reviewed the clinical records of these patients, gathering demographic and clinical information.

The results showed that the most common comorbidities associated with AA were anxiety, dermatitis, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, and vitamin D deficiency. Among patients with AA aged 18 years and older, the most prevalent comorbidities were allergic rhinitis, psychological problems, diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. Significant differences were observed in the prevalence of certain comorbidities based on sex. Hypothyroidism was more common in female patients than in male patients, whereas hyperlipidemia was more common in male patients than in female patients. Furthermore, the severity of AA was found to be significantly associated with hyperlipidemia and vitiligo, suggesting a potential link between disease severity and these comorbidities.

“The prevalence of hypothyroidism was higher in our study; it was higher in women than in men. Thyroid function tests were recommended for AA patients,” the authors concluded.

Reference
Hamidpour E, Shakoei S, Nasimi M, Ghandi N. Effects of age and sex on the comorbidities of alopecia areata: a cross-sectional hospital-based study. Health Sci Rep. Published online July 26, 2023. doi:10.1002/hsr2.1444