Frequency of Autoimmune Disorders in Patients of Alopecia Areata: A Cross sectional Survey

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of autoimmune disorders in alopecia areata patients.Materials and Methods: The study enrolled 200 patients diagnosed with alopecia areata, ranging in age from 18 to 65 years. Each participant was evaluated for the presence of autoimmune conditions such as autoimmune thyroid disorders, vitiligo, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and psoriasis—using both clinical examination and relevant laboratory investigations.Results: Out of the 200 patients of alopecia areata, autoimmune disorders were identified in 25% (n=50). The most frequent disorder was hypothyroidism, observed in 30 patients (15%). Other disorders included vitiligo in 11 patients (5.5%), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 5 patients (2.5%), hyperthyroidism in 4 patients (2%) and psoriasis in 3 patients (1.5%).Conclusion: Alopecia areata is commonly linked with various autoimmune conditions, with hypothyroidism being the most prevalent. These findings underscore the importance of screening alopecia areata patients for autoimmune comorbidities, particularly thyroid disorders.