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Van Acker MM, Schwartz RR, Andrews K, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. Inheritance-Specific Dysregulation of Th1- and Th17-Associated Cytokines in Alopecia Areata. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1285. [PMID: 37759685 PMCID: PMC10527519 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases tend to cluster in families, suggesting genetic predisposition to autoimmunity associated with familial background. We have previously reported similarities in gene expression patterns and PTPN22 polymorphisms between alopecia areata (AA) patients and their healthy relatives, but not unrelated healthy controls. However, the spectrum of disease promoting (or preventing) pathways that may be activated in blood relatives of AA patients remains to be defined. Here, we investigated the extent to which cytokines associated with the Th1 and Th17 pathway are differentially expressed in the blood of patients with AA and its clinical subtypes in comparison to both healthy relatives as well as unrelated healthy controls. A comprehensive set of Th1- and Th17-related cytokines were evaluated by ELISA. We found a significant elevation of the Th17 inducer IL-23, the Th17 product IL-17A, the Th1 hallmark cytokine IFNγ, and TNFα, a Th1 cytokine with relevance to the Th17 pathway in AA patients, regardless of disease subtype, compared to healthy individuals. On further examination, we found that healthy family members grouped together with patients in terms of elevated Th1- and Th17-pathway cytokines in an inheritance-specific manner, distinct from unrelated controls. The elevation of Th17-associated cytokines in healthy controls related to AA patients indicates that Th1 and Th17 dysregulation in AA may be genetically based. Of note, one unrelated control displayed elevated levels of IL-17A and IL-23 similar to those detected in patients. One year after initial blood draw, areas of beard hair loss consistent with the diagnosis of AA were reported by this individual, indicating that the elevation in Th17-related cytokines may have predictive value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Animesh A. Sinha
- Department of Dermatology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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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: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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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Viljoen M, Benecke RM, Martin L, Adams RCM, Seedat S, Smith C. Anxiety: An overlooked confounder in the characterisation of chronic stress-related conditions? PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230053. [PMID: 32298279 PMCID: PMC7162495 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent of psychiatric disorders, childhood trauma-related studies seldom consider anxiety proneness as distinct aetiological contributor. We aimed to distinguish between trauma- and anxiety-associated physiological profiles. South African adolescent volunteers were categorised for trauma exposure (CTQ, mean score 39±11) and anxiety proneness (AP)(CASI, mean score 37±7, STAI-T, mean score 41±8). Circulating hormone and leukocyte glucocorticoid receptor levels, as well as leukocyte functional capacity, were assessed. AP was associated with lower DHEAs (P<0.05) and higher leukocyte GR expression (P<0.05). DHEAs was also negatively correlated with anxiety sensitivity (CASI, P<0.05). In conclusion, AP may have more predictive power than trauma in terms of health profile. Increased glucocorticoid sensitivity previously reported after trauma, may be a unique function of anxiety and not trauma exposure per se. DHEAs concentration was identified as potentially useful marker for monitoring progressive changes in HPA-axis sensitivity and correlated with psychological measures of anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monet Viljoen
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Science Faculty, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Rohan M. Benecke
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Science Faculty, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Lindi Martin
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rozanne C. M. Adams
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Science Faculty, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Flow Cytometry and Imaging Unit, Central Analytical Facility, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carine Smith
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Science Faculty, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Prevalence of psychological disorders in patients with alopecia areata in comparison with normal subjects. ISRN DERMATOLOGY 2014; 2014:304370. [PMID: 24734190 PMCID: PMC3966411 DOI: 10.1155/2014/304370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alopecia areata is a chronic disease with a great impact on the patient's quality of life. In this study we reviewed the frequency of psychological disorders in patients with alopecia areata in comparison to a control group. We enrolled 40 patients with alopecia areata and a 40-volunteer random age-sex matched control group. The study is based on anxiety and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). Analytical evaluation was done by Mann-Whitney, Kruskal Wallis, and t-tests. There was a significant difference between the case and control group regarding the prevalence of depression (P value = 0.008), anxiety (P value = 0.003), and neuroticism (P value = 0.05). There was no significant differences regarding extraversion (P value = 0.249), psychosis (P value = 0.147), and lying (P value = 0.899) between the two groups. In alopecia areata involving the head, there was a significant relation only between neuroticism (P value = 0.045) and lying (P value = 0.005). The facial involvement had a significant relation with depression (P value = 0.020), anxiety (P value = 0.019), and neuroticism (P value = 0.029). The frequency of psychological disorders in the case group is significantly greater than the control group.
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