Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA)

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia-Are other Autoimmune diseases present?

We have long known that patients with FFA have a greater risk of autoimmune thyroid disease. A new study raises the possibility that other autoimmune diseases might also be linked.

Dr Amy McMichael and colleagues recently published a report of a patient with FFA plus two other autoimmune conditions: 

•  Polymyalgia Rheumatica and
•  Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Whether these particular autoimmune diseases are truly increased in frequency in patients with FFA or if this was a coincidence in this patient remains to be determined in larger studies.

We need to be open to the possibility of other autoimmune diseases in patients with scarring alopecia, including FFA.

Reference
Eginli AN et al. Case of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in a Patient with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Skin Appendage Disord. 2016.