European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is hypothesized to be an organ-specific autoimmune disease mediated by T cells directed to the hair follicle. Despite numerous studies related to individual disease associations in AA, there is paucity of literature regarding comprehensive studies on concomitant cutaneous and systemic diseases. Hence there is need for better understanding of the disease. This study is intended to determine the prevalence, clinical and histopathological study of the disease.
Objectives
1. To study the hospital based prevalence of Alopecia areata.
2. To study the clinical and histopathological features of Alopecia areata.
3. To study the associated cutaneous and systemic disorders.
Methods: A total of 100 clinically diagnosed cases of Alopecia Areata who were consenting for both clinical evaluation and investigations were taken after a thorough informed consent. A detailed history was taken with emphasis on age, sex, socioeconomic status, history of Atopy and other autoimmune disorders, family history of AA, mode of onset, recurrence and complete examination of skin lesions, nails and mucous membranes was done to note morphology, distribution, extent, site, number, size etc and investigations such as VDRL, complete hemogram, FBS, PPBS, urine routine and thyroid profile, biopsy were done.