Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkiye Klinikleri Dermatoloji, cilt.23, sa.1, ss.1-6, 2013 (Scopus)
There are some reports indicating high incidence of autoimmune disorders and thyroid diseases in patients with alopecia areata (AA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical features of AA and to investigate its coincidence with thyroid autoimmunity. Material and Methods: One hundred and twelve patients with AA (69 male, 43 female; age range: 3-59) and 62 control subjects (36 male, 26 female; age range: 3-60) were enrolled into the study. Patients with AA were evaluated for the type, duration, and severity of the disease, stress factor, nail features, and family history of AA. In both study groups, physical examination was performed, and a detailed history was taken for associated systemic and cutaneous disorders. Thyroid function tests and serum levels of thyroid antibodies were tested in all subjects that joined the study. Results: In patients with AA the mean age of disease onset was found to be 22.9, and disease duration was 7.46 years. There was no statistically difference between mild and severe disease with respect to age and sex (p=0.71). History of intense stress prior to disease onset was present in 71.8 of AA patients. Family history of AA was statistically higher in children than adults (p=0.000). Nail involvement was statistically frequent in severe disease (p=0.000). Nineteen patients (17%) with AA versus 3 (5%) control subjects had autoimmune thyroid disease, showing a significantly high rate (p=0,015). The frequency of all autoimmune disorders was 21.4% in AA group, whereas 5% in controls, with a significant difference (p=0,004). Conclusion: Our results show that family history is higher in children with AA; nail involvement is related with disease severity; stress and autoimmunity may be important in the etiopathogenesis of AA, and the patients should be examined and checked regularly for especially autoimmune thyroid disease. © 2013 by Türkiye Klinikleri.