Antismooth muscle and antiparietal cell antibodies in Indians with alopecia areata

Comorbid Conditions Associated with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is a complex autoimmune condition resulting in nonscarring hair loss. In recent years, many studies have provided new evidence on comorbid diseases present in patients with AA. However, some studies have conflicting results, and analyses conducting a comprehensive approach are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of medical comorbidities associated with AA.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies investigating medical comorbidities in AA published from inception through 1 February 2023.

RESULTS

We screened 3428 abstracts and titles and reviewed 345 full text articles for eligibility. Ultimately, 102 studies were analyzed, comprising 680,823 patients with AA and 72,011,041 healthy controls. Almost all included studies (100 of 102 studies) were of satisfactory to high quality (Newcastle-Ottawa scale score ≥ 4). Among patients with AA, comorbidities with the highest odds ratios (OR) compared with healthy controls and data available from more than one study included vitamin D deficiency (OR 10.13, 95% CI 4.24-24.20), systemic lupus erythematous (OR 5.53, 95% CI 3.31-9.23), vitiligo (OR 5.30, 95% CI 1.86-15.10), metabolic syndrome (OR 5.03, 95% CI 4.18-6.06), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (OR 4.31, 95% CI 2.51-7.40). AA may be a protective factor for certain disorders, for which the AA group had lower odds compared with healthy controls, such as irritable bowel syndrome (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.14-0.99) and colorectal cancer (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.89).

CONCLUSION

These findings corroborate and contextualize the risks across comorbidities for patients with AA. Further work should be done to identify the underlying pathophysiology and understand appropriate screening criteria.

Increased Incidence of Thyroid Disease in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, clinically heterogeneous, immune-mediated, nonscarring hair loss disease with a pathogenesis that is not fully understood. The prevalence of thyroid disease is likely increased among individuals with AA. However, this association remains controversial. Objective: To evaluate the risk of thyroid disease in patients with AA. Methods: We performed a systematic review by searching both English and Chinese literature databases. Random- or fixed-effects models were used to summarize the association between thyroid disease and AA. Results: In total, 17 articles were included in this meta-analysis, with 2,850 AA cases and 4,667 controls. Overall, the prevalence of thyroid disease in patients with AA was significantly increased compared with that in controls (odds ratios 3.66, 95% confidence intervals 2.90–4.61). Conclusions: The results suggest that AA patients should be screened for thyroid disease.

Precision Medicine and the Practice of Trichiatry: Adapting the Concept

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) aims for the ideal that healthcare professionals make conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to clinical decision-making. It seeks to assess the strength of the evidence for benefits of diagnostic tests and treatments, using techniques from science, engineering, and statistics, such as the systematic review of medical literature, meta-analysis, risk-benefit analysis, and randomized controlled trials. The limited success rate of EBM therapies suggests that the complex nature of hair loss may be inadequately served by the present levels of evidence, and that physicians treating hair loss may have fallen short of adequately researching a robust evidence to underpin their practices. Against this backdrop, the concept of precision medicine (PM) is evolving. PM refers to the customization of medical care to the patient's individual characteristics based on the patient's genetic background and other molecular or cellular analysis, while classifying patients into subpopulations that differ in their susceptibility to a particular medical condition, in the biology or prognosis of those medical conditions, or in their response to a specific treatment. With the advances in hair research, the powerful tools of molecular biology and genetics, and innovative technologies, we have the robust scientific data and tools to adapt the concept of PM to the practice of trichiatry. Finally, databases pertaining to the development and efficacy of PM must be analyzed and be used to form the basis of evidence-based personalized trichiatry.

Alopecia Areata: a Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis and Management

Alopecia areata is a common hair loss condition that is characterized by acute onset of non-scarring hair loss in usually sharply defined areas ranging from small patches to extensive or less frequently diffuse involvement. Depending on its acuity and extent, hair loss is an important cause of anxiety and disability. The current understanding is that the condition represents an organ-specific autoimmune disease of the hair follicle with a genetic background. Genome-wide association studies provide evidence for the involvement of both innate and acquired immunity in the pathogenesis, and mechanistic studies in mouse models of alopecia areata have specifically implicated an IFN-γ-driven immune response, including IFNγ, IFNγ-induced chemokines and cytotoxic CD8 T cells as the main drivers of disease pathogenesis. A meta-analysis of published trials on treatment of alopecia areata states that only few treatments have been well evaluated in randomized trials. Nevertheless, depending on patient age, affected surface area and disease duration, an empiric treatment algorithm can be designed with corticosteroids and topical immunotherapy remaining the mainstay of therapy. The obviously limited success of evidence-based therapies points to a more important complexity of hair loss. At the same time, the complexity of pathogenesis offers opportunities for the development of novel targeted therapies. New treatment opportunities based on the results of genome-wide association studies that implicate T cell and natural killer cell activation pathways are paving the way to new approaches in future clinical trials. Currently, there are ongoing studies with the CTLA4-Ig fusion protein abatacept, anti-IL15Rβ monoclonal antibodies and the Janus kinase inhibitors tofacitinib, ruxolitinib and baricitinib. Ultimately, the options available for adapting to the disease rather than treating it in an effort to cure may also be taken into consideration in selected cases of long-standing or recurrent small spot disease.

Autoimmune comorbidity in chronic spontaneous urticaria: A systematic review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Numerous autoimmune diseases (AIDs) have been linked to chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Here, we provide the first extensive and comprehensive evaluation of the prevalence of AIDs in patients with CSU and vice versa.

METHODS

A Pubmed and Google Scholar search was performed to identify studies reporting the prevalence of various AIDs in CSU and vice versa published before April 2017.

RESULTS

The prevalence of individual AIDs in CSU is increased (≥1% in most studies vs ≤1% in the general population). AIDs with relatively high prevalence in the general population are also quite common in CSU patients, whereas those with low prevalence remain a rare finding in CSU. The rates of comorbidity in most studies were ≥1% for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis and celiac disease (CD), ≥2% for Graves' disease, ≥3% for vitiligo, and ≥5% for pernicious anemia and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Organ-specific AIDs are more prevalent in CSU than systemic (multiorgan or non organ-specific) AIDs. >2% of CSU patients have autoimmune polyglandular syndromes encompassing autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) and vitiligo or pernicious anemia. Antithyroid and antinuclear antibodies are the most prevalent AID-associated autoantibodies in CSU. >15% of CSU patients have a positive family history for AIDs. The prevalence of urticarial rash in AID patients is >1% in most studies. This rash is more prevalent in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, ATD, systemic lupus erythematosus, RA and CD.

CONCLUSIONS

CSU patients have an increased risk of AIDs, especially adult female patients and those with a positive family history and a genetic predisposition for AIDs, who should be screened for signs and symptoms of AIDs.

Management of Psoriasis Vulgaris with Methotrexate 0.25% in a Hydrophilic Gel: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Study

Background:

Methotrexate has been used as one of the first and systemic therapies for psoriasis. In general, 70% of patients with psoriasis prefer topical therapy as the treatment of choice.

Objective:

The purpose of this placebo-controlled double-blind study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of methotrexate 0.25% incorporated in a hydrophilic gel (hydroxyethylcellulose 1%) to treat patients afflicted with psoriasis vulgaris.

Methods:

Sixty patients (37M/23F) ranging between 18 and 70 years of age, with slight to moderate chronic plaque-type psoriasis and PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) scores between 5.3 and 17.5 joined the study. The mean duration of the disease at entry was 9.6 years (range 1–24 years). The diagnosis of psoriasis was established by clinical and histopathologic methods. Patients were sequentially randomized into two parallel groups. Each patient was allocated a precoded 100-g tube (active or placebo) with instructions on how to self-administer the trial medication topically (without occlusion) to their lesions two times daily for 5 consecutive days per week. The study lasted for 12 weeks with 4 weeks of active treatment. Patients were examined on a weekly basis and those showing total clearing or remission of lesions were considered effectively treated.

Results:

By the end of the treatment, breaking the code disclosed that methotrexate 0.25% gel had significantly treated more patients than placebo (83.3% vs. 6.7%; p < 0.0001), reduced the PASI score to a mean of 2.2, and cleared more plaques (82.2% vs. 4.3%; p < 0.0001). Laboratory evaluations, including CBC with differential and platelet count, renal function, liver chemistry [SGOT (aspartate transaminase) and SGPT (alanine transaminase)], and serum creatinine, were within the normal limits. The treatment was well-tolerated by all the patients, with no adverse drug-related symptoms and no dropouts. The study was followed up for 12 months from the first day of the treatment; two cured patients had relapsed after 8 months.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study demonstrate that methotrexate 0.25% in a hydrophilic gel is well tolerated and significantly more effective than placebo as a patient-applied topical medication to treat psoriasis vulgaris.

Acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp associated with borrelia-infection

A case of acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp associated with Borrelia-infection (acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans) is presented. Today, acute diffuse and total alopecia of the female scalp is recognized as a distinct variant of alopecia areata (AA) predominantly observed in women. Cases of AA have formerly been reported in association with infections. AA is understood to represent an organ-specific autoimmune disease of the hair follicle. It is conceivable that the antigenic stimulus provided by the infection may act as a trigger for alopecia. Vice versa, alopecia may act as a marker for detection of undiagnosed infection. Treatment of the patient with intravenous ceftriaxone led to the resolution of cutaneous borreliosis, and in addition to topical clobetasol foam to complete recovery of hair.

Cure of alopecia areata after eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a new association?

Alopecia areata is a disease of the hair follicles, with strong evidence supporting autoimmune etiology. Alopecia areata is frequently associated with immune-mediated diseases with skin manifestations such as psoriasis and lichen planus, or without skin manifestations such as autoimmune thyroiditis and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is present in around 50% of the world's population and has been associated with a variety of immune-mediated extra-digestive disorders including autoimmune thyroiditis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and psoriasis. A case of a 43-year old man with an 8-mo history of alopecia areata of the scalp and beard is presented. The patient was being treated by a dermatologist and had psychiatric support, without any improvement. He had a history of dyspepsia and the urea breath test confirmed H. pylori infection. The patient went into remission from alopecia areata after H. pylori eradication. If such an association is confirmed by epidemiological studies designed for this purpose, new therapeutic options could be available for these patients, especially in areas where infection with H. pylori is highly prevalent.

The treatment of psoriasis vulgaris: 1% topical methotrexate gel

BACKGROUND

In general, 70% of patients with psoriasis prefer topical therapy as the treatment of choice.

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of 1% topical methotrexate gel vs. placebo (vaseline ointment) as treatment for psoriasis.

METHODS

Forty patients (20 females and 20 males) with chronic plaque-type psoriasis joined the study. Each patient was allocated to apply 1% methotrexate gel and placebo topically to their two target lesions, equal in area and disease severity, twice daily for 8 weeks. Lesions were scored at baseline and after 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of treatment for erythema, scale, and infiltration. The global improvement and histopathologic features were also assessed after methotrexate treatment.

RESULTS

At the end of treatment, erythema was cleared totally in 47.5% of patients treated with methotrexate vs. 7.5% of those treated with placebo, and infiltration in 22% of patients treated with methotrexate vs. 2.5% of those treated with placebo (P<0.01). Clinical improvement was almost the same for the two groups with regard to scale (P<0.5). The global improvement was 97% for patients treated with methotrexate vs. 60% for those treated with placebo, and a significant difference was found between the groups (P<0.01). Histopathologic improvement was achieved in the methotrexate group (P<0.01). No side-effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that methotrexate 1% in a hydrophilic gel is well tolerated and significantly more effective than placebo as a topical medication for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

Evaluation of the profile of alopecia areata and the prevalence of thyroid function test abnormalities and serum autoantibodies in Iranian patients

BACKGROUND

The study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of thyroid function abnormalities in patients with alopecia areata (AA) and its association with other autoimmune diseases and various autoimmune antibodies.

METHOD

We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 123 patients with AA. The main site of involvement, pattern, and extent of alopecia as well as presence of the similar disease in first-degree family members and serologic status of patients were recorded.

RESULTS

Participating in the study were 57 males and 66 females (6 to 59 years old). In the majority of patients (69.9%) the disease was manifested in the first two decades of life. Patients with family members having alopecia were recorded in 24.4%. Thyroid function abnormalities were found in 8.9% of patients. Positive autoimmune antibodies were associated with AA in 51.4% of patients with no significant association between the severity and duration of disease and presence of these antibodies.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of positive auto-immune antibodies in Iranian patients is higher than previous reports. Concerning the female:male ratio, thyroid function tests and the prevalence of alopecia in first-degree relatives, our results are compatible with previous data obtained from different ethnic populations. Previous reports documented that a greater severity and longer duration of AA were seen in the early onset forms; however our result are relatively different which could be explained by differences in genetic factors.

Thyroid autoimmunity in children and adolescents with alopecia areata

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) is often associated with alopecia areata (AA) in children and adolescents.

METHODS

Forty-six children (23 girls and 23 boys), with a mean age of 9.9 +/- 3.38 years (2.24-17.5 years), were included in a study to assess thyroid function and thyroid autoantibody formation in AA. The size and function of the thyroid gland [triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) test; fluoroimmunologic assay (FIA), Delfia], antithyroglobulin (TAT) and antimicrosomal (MAT) antibodies (microhemagglutination method), thyroid gland ultrasound, and indices of cellular and humoral immunity were assessed.

RESULTS

Thyromegaly was found in 29 children (63%). Increased basal TSH levels were present in six of the 29 (13.3%) and hypothyroid-type stimulated secretion (TRH test) in two (out of 12). TAT was increased in 17 (39.5%) and MAT in 14 (33.3%) children with AA. Thyroid ultrasound examination was suggestive of AT in 13 (34.2%) and typical of AT in five (13.2%) children.

CONCLUSIONS

We diagnosed AT in 22 of 46 children with AA (47.8%). The immune studies revealed increased activated T lymphocytes. We recommend that thyroid gland size and function and antibody formation be examined at the diagnosis of AA and twice a year thereafter.

Thyroid function, autoantibodies, and HLA tissue typing in children with alopecia areata

A total of 80 Kuwaiti children with alopecia areata (AA), without clinical evidence of thyroid disease, were screened for the presence of thyroid abnormalities, and 50 unrelated children with AA were tissue typed for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II antigens. Thyroid abnormalities were detected in 14 children (17.5%). Among these, 11 children (14%) had thyroid autoantibodies. These observations highlight the significance of screening for thyroid abnormalities in children with chronic, recurrent, and/or extensive disease. The Kuwaiti children with AA were observed to have a significant association with HLA B21 (OR 18.850, 95% CI 4.404-80.677), B40 (OR 6.767, 95% CI 1.818-25.181), and HLA B12 (OR 4.833, 95% CI 1.198-19.505) antigens. These findings differed from those reported elsewhere.