Autoimmunity in Patients with Alopecia areata:

What conditions are more common and which ones are less common?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. It is well known that the risk of developing a second autoimmune condition is increased once a person is diagnosied with their first autoimmune disease. 

In 2017, Conic and colleagues set out to retrospectively review the clinical features of patients with alopecia areata that were seen at the Cleveland Clinic over the period 2005 to 2014.  In total, data from 504 patients was tabulated and as a comparison group 172 patients with seborrheic dermatitis were also reviewed. 

Interestingly, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and thyroid disease were found to be more common in patients with alopecia areata compared to controls.  The incidence of diabetes mellitus was found to be less common. 

REFERENCE

Conic et al. Comorbidities in patients with alopecia areata. Journal American Academy Dermatology; 754-756.