Comorbidities in Patients with Alopecia Areata: New Meta-Analysis Highlights Risks

What diseases are increased and decreased among patients with alopecia areata?

A 2019 meta-analysis sought to determine the health conditions that are increased or decreased in patients with alopecia areata. Lee and colleagues from South Korea evaluated 87 published studies.

I have highlighted here some of the very interesting findings of the study.

Conclusion and Summary

This is a wonderfully helpful meta-analysis which summarizes some of the key associations in alopecia areata. Alopecia is associated with an increased risk of atopic dermatitis, hyperinsulinemia, metabolic syndrome, lupus, H. pylori infection, vitamin D and iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, thyroid cancer, anxiety , depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Reference

Lee S et al. Comorbidities in alopecia areata: A systematic review and meta-analysis. .J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Feb;80(2):466-477.e16.