Author/Authors :
SHAARAWY, EMAN Cairo University - National Research Center - Department of Dermatology, Egypt , ABD EL-HAY, RANIA Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine, National Research Center - Department of Dermatology, Egypt , SAMIR, NESRINE Cairo University - National Research Center - Department of Dermatology, Egypt , KHORSHIED, MERVAT Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine, National Research Center - Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Egypt , GOUDA, HEBA Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine, National Research Center - Department of Clinical Pathology, Egypt , HELWA, IMAN Cairo University - National Research Center - Department of Dermatology, Egypt
Abstract :
Background: The etiology of Alopecia Areata (AA) is not exactly known, however factors such as genetic predisposition, autoimmunity and stress have been suggested.Aim: To investigate the frequency of thyroid autoimmunity related with AA and its effect.Patients and Methods: 144 AA patients were enrolled in this study; all patients were examined for Anti-Thyroperoxidase (TPO) by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. The anti-TPO positive AA patients (Group I) were compared to the anti-TPO antibody negative cases (Group II) regarding demographic data, clinical presentation and treatment response to previous or current medication.Results: This observational analytical study included 144 AA cases, 30% of them (n=44) showed positive anti-TPO antibodies. Comparing anti-TPO positive AA patients (n=44) versus anti-TPO negative AA patients (n=100) revealed no significant difference regarding the demographic data, the clinical presentation and the treatment response to previous or current medication.Conclusion: Detailed thyroid autoimmunity tests are not required for all AA patients; it is more suitable that further evaluation should be done in particular cases especially those with positive family history of AA or other autoimmune disease.
Keywords :
Alopecia areata , Anti , thyroperoxidase , Autoimmunity
