Publication: Alopecia Areata and Thyroid Dysfunction Association- A Study from Eastern Nepal
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Alopecia areata (AA) is one of the non-scarring alopecia. Its etiology has not been
well established till date. The most convincing hypothesis is autoimmune process
for its causation. Amongst all, most frequent association was found with thyroid
disorder.
Objective
To study the association of thyroid dysfunction in patients with alopecia areata.
Method
All patients of alopecia areata attending dermatology outpatient department and
currently not receiving any treatment for alopecia areata were enrolled in the study.
Relevant history and examination findings were recorded in the preset pro-forma. All
of them were subjected for thyroid function test by chemiluminescence microparticle
immunoassay method. Then thyroid function test of cases was compared with that
of equal number of age and sex matched healthy controls.
Result
A total of 75 patients were enrolled in both case and control groups. Mean age
of case and control groups were 29.40±9.90 and 28.96±9.89 years respectively
(P=0.786). Median Severity of Alopecia Tool score was 2.47 (IQR=0.96-5.79).
Prevalence of thyroid disorder was significantly higher in alopecia areata group
(17.3%) as compared to the control group (1.3%) (P=0.001). Likewise, in individuals
with abnormal thyroid function, alopecia areata disease severity grade and median
severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score was higher as compared to those with normal
thyroid function.
Conclusion
We found a significant association between alopecia areata and thyroid dysfunction.
Hence thyroid function evaluation must be considered in individuals with alopecia
areata. However, further studies with larger sample size are recommended before
its generalization.
KEY WORDS
Alopecia areata, Severity of alopecia tool score, Thyroid function test
Description
Marahatta S,1 Agrawal S,1 Mehata KD2
1Department of Dermatology and Venereology
2Department of Biochemistry
BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences,
Dharan, Nepal.
Keywords
Alopecia areata, Severity of alopecia tool score, Thyroid function test