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Caldarola G, Raimondi G, Samela T, Pinto L, Pampaloni F, Starace MVR, Diluvio L, Dall'Oglio F, Vagnozzi E, de Felici del Giudice MB, Balestri R, Ambrogio F, Girolomoni G, Riva SF, Moro F, Atzori L, Gallo G, Ribero S, Simonetti O, Barruscotti S, Boccaletti V, Marzano AV, Bianchi L, Micali G, Piraccini BM, Fargnoli MC, Abeni D, Peris K. Assessing a measure for Quality of Life in patients with severe Alopecia Areata: a multicentric Italian study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1415334. [PMID: 39220459 PMCID: PMC11363427 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1415334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (AA) is very high and this significant burden of psychological symptoms threatens the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of affected patients. Indeed, AA often does not produce significant physical symptoms, but it nonetheless disrupts many areas of mental health. Clinical assessment of disease severity may not reliably predict patient's HRQoL, nor may it predict the patient's perception of illness. For this reason, considerable effort has been made to apply and develop measures that consider patient's perception and assess the HRQoL of individuals affected by AA. The aim of this multicentric study was to provide the Italian version of the Skindex-16AA and to evaluate its psychometric properties in a clinical sample of consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe AA. Methods This is a longitudinal, multicenter, observational study. Patients returned for follow-up visits at 4-, 12-, and 24-weeks. The analyses of the current work aimed to confirm the factorial structure of the Skindex-16AA. In the case of non-fit, an alternative structure for the model was proposed, using an Exploratory Graph Analysis and the Bayesian approach. Results The sample was composed of 106 patients with AA. Alopecia Universalis was the most frequently diagnosed type of alopecia at all time points. The analyses on the Skindex-16AA revealed that a two-factor structure with eight items fit the data best (Bayesian Posterior Predictive Checking using 95% Confidence Interval for the Difference Between the Observed and the Replicated Chi-Square values = -6.246/56.395, Posterior Predictive P-value = 0.06), and reported satisfactory psychometric properties (i.e., internal consistency and convergent validity). Conclusion The Skindex-8AA demonstrated optimal psychometric properties (i.e., convergent and construct validity, and test-retest reliability) measured in a sample of patients with AA, that may suggest that it is an appropriate tool to measure the HRQoL in AA patients. However, further studies are needed in order to confirm and tested other psychometric features of this tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Caldarola
- UOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Raimondi
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Tonia Samela
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pinto
- UOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Pampaloni
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Valeria Rita Starace
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Diluvio
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico di Tor Vergata, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Vagnozzi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | | | - Francesca Ambrogio
- Section of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Giampiero Girolomoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina, Sezione di Dermatologia, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silvia Francesca Riva
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), Section of Dermatology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Dermatology, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Atzori
- Dermatology Unit, Department Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gallo
- Dermatology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Simone Ribero
- Dermatology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Oriana Simonetti
- Clinica Dermatologica—Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefania Barruscotti
- Dermatology Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Valeria Boccaletti
- Clinica Dermatologica, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Angelo Valerio Marzano
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Bianchi
- Dermatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico di Tor Vergata, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Bianca Maria Piraccini
- Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Fargnoli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Damiano Abeni
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ketty Peris
- UOC di Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli—IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dermatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Selçukoğlu Kilimci Ö, Yücesoy SN, Turan Ş, Uzunçakmak TK, Kara Esen B, Serdengeçti N, Tarakçıoğlu MC, Serdaroğlu S. Parenting styles and psychological effects on children with alopecia areata: exploring family dynamics, anxiety, and depression. Arch Dermatol Res 2024; 316:260. [PMID: 38795219 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-024-03031-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that develops due to inflammation and causes sudden hair loss. Ithas been observed that family circumstances may contribute to the development of AA. This study aims to assessthe relationship between the development of alopecia areata in children, family functions, and depression andanxiety levels in their parents.Thirty-nine participants diagnosed with AA and 41 healthy controls (HC), agedbetween 8 and 18 years, and their parents participated in the study. The assessment of the children included thecompletion of a socio-demographic data form, the Parenting Style Scale (PSS), and the Revised Children's Anxietyand Depression Scale (RCADS). The parents provided information on a sociodemographic form, the BeckDepression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The children in the control group scoredsignificantly higher on the PSS acceptance/ involvement subscale than those with AA. In the AA group, the numberof authoritative and indulgent (PSS) families was statistically significantly lower than that of the families in the HC,and the number of neglectful families was statistically significantly higher than those of the control group. Totalanxiety and depression t scores (RCADS) were statistically significantly higher in the AA children than in theHC. Our study demonstrates the importance of considering familial factors and parental mental health tounderstand and address alopecia areata in children. Our findings support the psychosomatic component of AA.Implementing comprehensive treatment strategies that target psychological well-being and family dynamics couldprove crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sera Nur Yücesoy
- Department of Dermatology, Ministry of Health Hassa State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Şenol Turan
- Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Kevser Uzunçakmak
- Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Beril Kara Esen
- Esenler District Health Directorate, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nihal Serdengeçti
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ministry of Health, Haydarpaşa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mahmut Cem Tarakçıoğlu
- Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Server Serdaroğlu
- Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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Ucuz I, Uzun Cicek A, Komurcu Celik M, Akan M, Kesriklioglu E, Gungor S, Ozel Ozcan O. Emotional Dysregulation and Temperament-Character Traits in Adolescents With Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (Conversion Disorder). J Nerv Ment Dis 2024; 212:152-158. [PMID: 38090971 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate emotion dysregulation and temperament-character traits in adolescents with functional neurological symptom disorder (FNSD). Forty adolescents with FNSD and 40 healthy adolescents were evaluated by a semiconstructed diagnosis interview, Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Regulation of Emotions Questionnaire (REQ), and Children's Somatization Inventory-24 (CSI-24). The external and internal dysfunctional emotion regulation scores of REQ, all subscales of DERS, except the awareness subscale, and CSI-24 scores were significantly higher in FNSD patients compared with healthy controls. There were significant differences between the groups in terms of harm avoidance and reward dependence subscale scores of TCI. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the external dysfunctional emotion regulation strategy, somatization, and reward dependence are significant predictors of FNSD. Our results provide evidence that adolescents with FNSD experience emotional dysregulation and that the differential value of some temperament-character traits in the diagnosis of FNSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilknur Ucuz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Ayla Uzun Cicek
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Merve Komurcu Celik
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Akan
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Ozal University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Esma Kesriklioglu
- Department of Econometrics, Ataturk University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Serdal Gungor
- Department of Child Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Ozel Ozcan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
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Muntyanu A, Gabrielli S, Donovan J, Gooderham M, Guenther L, Hanna S, Lynde C, Prajapati VH, Wiseman M, Netchiporouk E. The burden of alopecia areata: A scoping review focusing on quality of life, mental health and work productivity. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2023; 37:1490-1520. [PMID: 36708097 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common inflammatory autoimmune disease of the hair which can have a significant negative impact on quality of life (QoL), mental health and productivity. The aim of this scoping review is to elucidate the burden of AA focusing on these three realms. Inclusion criteria included all original manuscripts with no restriction on study type or statistical method written in English (or having an English abstract). For QoL 40 articles were included, 85 for psychiatric comorbidities, and 9 for work/school absenteeism/presenteeism mostly consisting of cross-sectional and observational cohort studies. QoL impairment was detected in over 75% of patients and up to one-third reported extremely severe QoL impairments. Specific QoL dimensions with the greatest impact were embarrassment, social functioning, as well as shopping and/or housework. Cross-sectional studies assessing the psychological burden of adult patients with AA found that the presence of signs of anxiety and/or depression ranged from 30% to 68% and affected all age groups. Rates of work absenteeism and unemployment were significantly higher in AA patients compared to healthy controls. Up to 62% reported making major life decisions including relationships, education and career based on their AA. Additionally, the extensive camouflage techniques and time lost from work led to a strong financial burden for patients and the numerous physician visits added to the healthcare costs. The overall impact of AA stretches much further than simply being an aesthetic concern and can negatively impact every part of an individual's life. An individualized approach and effective treatments will help reduce the psychosocial consequences and distress and return patients to their normal state of health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeffrey Donovan
- Donovan Hair Clinic, Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Dermatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Melinda Gooderham
- SKiN Centre for Dermatology, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
- Probity Medical Research Inc., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Dermatology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lyn Guenther
- Division of Dermatology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Guenther Research Inc., London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sameh Hanna
- Probity Medical Research Inc., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Dermatology on Bloor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charles Lynde
- Probity Medical Research Inc., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Dermatology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Lynde Institute for Dermatology, Markham, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vimal H Prajapati
- Probity Medical Research Inc., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Sections of Community Pediatrics and Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Dermatology Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Skin Health & Wellness Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marni Wiseman
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- SKiNWISE Dermatology, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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van Dalen M, Muller KS, Kasperkovitz-Oosterloo JM, Okkerse JME, Pasmans SGMA. Anxiety, depression, and quality of life in children and adults with alopecia areata: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1054898. [PMID: 36523776 PMCID: PMC9745337 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1054898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alopecia areata (AA) is a non-scarring hair loss condition, subclassified into AA, alopecia universalis, and alopecia totalis. There are indications that people with AA experience adverse psychosocial outcomes, but previous studies have not included a thorough meta-analysis and did not compare people with AA to people with other dermatological diagnoses. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to update and expand previous systematic reviews, as well as describing and quantifying levels of anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in children and adults with AA. Methods A search was conducted, yielding 1,249 unique records of which 93 were included. Results Review results showed that people with AA have higher chances of being diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression and experience impaired QoL. Their psychosocial outcomes are often similar to other people with a dermatological condition. Meta-analytic results showed significantly more symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with AA compared to healthy controls. Results also showed a moderate impact on QoL. These results further highlight that AA, despite causing little physical impairments, can have a significant amount on patients' well-being. Discussion Future studies should examine the influence of disease severity, disease duration, remission and relapse, and medication use to shed light on at-risk groups in need of referral to psychological care. Systematic review registration [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/], identifier [CRD42022323174].
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Affiliation(s)
- Marije van Dalen
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kirsten S. Muller
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Jolanda M. E. Okkerse
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Suzanne G. M. A. Pasmans
- Department of Dermatology, Center of Pediatric Dermatology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Renzi A, Conte G, Tambelli R. Somatic, Emotional and Behavioral Symptomatology in Children during COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Children's and Parents' Alexithymia. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:2171. [PMID: 36360512 PMCID: PMC9691013 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10112171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected the psychophysical wellbeing of children worldwide. Alexithymia, a personality trait involving difficulties in identifying and expressing feelings represents a vulnerability factor for stress-related disorders. Under pandemic stress exposure, we aimed to investigate the role of parents' and children's alexithymia in the psychophysical symptomatology shown by children and to evaluate possible differences according to age, gender and history of COVID-19 infections. The perception of parents and children about the impact of the pandemic on children's emotional, social and physiological wellbeing was also explored. Sixty-five familial triads were surveyed in the period from March to May 2022: children (n = 33 males; mean age = 9.53, sd = 1.55), mothers (mean age = 44.12; sd = 6.10) and fathers (mean age = 47.10; sd = 7.8). Both parental and children's alexithymia scores were significantly associated with somatic and externalizing symptomatology in children. Self-reported anger and externally oriented thinking scores were higher in younger children (age 8-9.9 years) than in older ones (10-12 years). Girls scored higher than boys in somatic complaints, as reported by parents. No difference emerged between children affected/not affected by COVID-19. Notably, children reported a greater negative impact of the pandemic on their emotional and psychosocial well-being than their parents. The findings emphasize the role of alexithymia in the occurrence of psychophysical symptoms in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduced parental awareness of the emotional burden imposed by the pandemic on children indicates the need to better consider how epidemics affect children's mental health and to develop adequate preventive strategies to support them in these exceptional times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Renzi
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Conte
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Institute of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Renata Tambelli
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Institute of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sabelli 108, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Ucuz I, Turkmen D, Altunisik N. Response to 'Psychodermatology in psychiatry: awareness and education among psychiatry trainees'. Clin Exp Dermatol 2022; 47:2028. [PMID: 35767000 DOI: 10.1111/ced.15314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ilknur Ucuz
- Inonu University, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Dursun Turkmen
- Inonu University, Department of Dermatology, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Nihal Altunisik
- Inonu University, Department of Dermatology, Malatya, Turkey
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Torales J, Castaldelli-Maia JM, Ventriglio A, Almirón-Santacruz J, Barrios I, O'Higgins M, García O, Navarro R, Melgarejo O, Jafferany M. Alopecia areata: A psychodermatological perspective. J Cosmet Dermatol 2021; 21:2318-2323. [PMID: 34449973 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alopecia Areata (AA) is an autoimmune dermatological disease that could be influenced by psychological factors as part of the pathophysiology of the illness. AIMS This review article aims to report on psychodermatological and psychopathological aspects involved in the etiopathogenesis and comorbidities of AA, as well as on the psychiatric and psychological management of affected patients. METHODS We conducted a literature search on PubMed and Google Scholar from January 1980 to May 2021 employing the search terms of alopecia areata, psychological factors, psychological impact, psychodermatology, and psychopathology. All lists of references from the identified articles were screened for further relevant studies. The search was limited to English and Spanish language articles and was supplemented with themed books and book chapters. No specific quality criteria were used for the studies selection. RESULTS Several authors have found a high comorbidity rate between AA and mental disorders, concluding that stress and psychological factors are involved in both the development and exacerbation of the illness. More evidences are needed in order to describe the associations between the immune response, stress, and the physiological factors observed in AA patients. CONCLUSION AA is a complex illness characterized by multifactorial etiology. An interaction between genetic, autoimmune, hormonal, neural, and psychological factors is supposed. Psychopathological aspects of illness need to be better described and considered in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Torales
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, Fundação do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.,Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio Ventriglio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - José Almirón-Santacruz
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Iván Barrios
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Marcelo O'Higgins
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Oscar García
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Rodrigo Navarro
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Osvaldo Melgarejo
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, San Lorenzo, Paraguay
| | - Mohammad Jafferany
- Department of Psychiatry, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
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