Studying the Levels of Copeptin and Cortisol as a Stress Monitoring Biomarkers in the Patients with Alopecia Areata in Babylon Governorate

Abstract Background: Alopecia areata (AA) can manifest clinically as little areas of hair loss or as total loss of scalp and body hair. Stress is a common cause of hair loss. In response, the adrenal gland secretes glucocorticoids and catecholamines, which affect the immune system by preventing extensive activation, the metabolism by providing acute energy, and the vasculature by increasing blood pressure. Objective: The aim of this research is to investigate the potential role of stress in the pathophysiology of AA. Additionally, to elucidate the potential use of a stress monitoring biomarker as a diagnostic indicator for AA. Materials and Methods: An investigation using a case–control method involved 60 male patients with AA and 60 male controls in good condition. In addition, the individuals with AA were separated into two age groups: adults and non-adults. Blood samples were obtained to measure copeptin and cortisol. Age and body mass index were evaluated in addition to other variables. Results: This study found that copeptin and cortisol concentrations in both adult and pediatric patients increased significantly ( P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The area under the curve (AUC) for adult copeptin was 0.841 and 0.759 in children, while the AUC for cortisol was 0.878 in adults and 0.872 in children. Conclusions: According to this study, copeptin and cortisol could be key players in the pathophysiology of AA.