Traversing the Pathway and Exploring the Link—A Clinical and Epidemiological Study in Alopecia Areata and Its Association with Autoimmune Diseases

Background and Aims: Alopecia areata is a scalp disorder where the hair follicles, especially in the hair bulb, are destroyed, leading to nonscarring hair loss. Since the condition has its root as an autoimmune process, this study explores that association and its relationship with the individual addressing the condition from both clinical and demographic standpoints. Since the evidence suggests that the disease is high on incidence with increased psychological and psychosocial impact, it is a vital need to assess the patients and find out the implied risk factors and associations and begin both clinical management of the disease and the associated comorbidities and provide psychological support at the earliest. Objectives: The objective of this article is study the demographic factors including the age distribution, gender variability, family history and the disease factors in relation to the severity in patients presenting with alopecia areata and to find and analyse the relationship between the presence of alopecia areata with other commonly prevalent autoimmune conditions like diabetes mellitus, thyroid problems, and to correlate the severity. Methodology: The observational study was conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Kakatiya Medical College, involved 102 patients who came to the outpatient department from November 2019 to October 2021. After prior approval from the ethical committee, the patients with alopecia areata who were willing to participate were enrolled, and detailed history and clinical examination were taken. Results: Out of 15% in the age group of below 15 years, 72.2% were males but in the age group of 16-45 years, females compromise the majority of 79.9% showing the transition from male to female predominance in middle age correlating with the onset of autoimmunity in these ages. Also, the statistical analysis performed showed significant association between the severity of the disease and the presence of alopecia areata and thyroidal illness. Conclusion: The study showed only significant association of alopecia areata with thyroid abnormalities. Although the association is not significant with diabetes mellitus, there is an upward trend of diabetes in relation to severity thus suggesting the timely need for evaluation both the conditions. It is a pertinent need for us to check those factors in these patients, thus tailoring the treatment process from a holistic healthcare point of view, which involves managing the overall medical and also psychological issues.