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Abstract
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of localized, non-scarring hair loss. It is characterized by the loss of hair in patches, total loss of scalp hair (alopecia totalis), or total loss of body hair (alopecia universalis).The etiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear, but there is evidence that autoimmunity and endocrine dysfunction may be involved.The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of thyroid autoantibodies and thyroid function abnormalities in patients with alopecia areata.Our study included 50 patients with AA (37 males and 13 females)and 20 healthy control subjects, with age ranges between 6-50 years. All subjects were submitted to: thorough history, thorough general examination and thorough local examination with determination of site and number of the lesion.8 ml of venous blood was withdrawn from cases and control after a written consent for complete blood count determination, determination of blood glucose, free T3, free T4, TSH, thyroglobulin antibody and antithyroid peroxidase antibody.2 ml of venous blood was withdrawn 2 hour postprandial to measure 2 hour postprandial blood glucose. Stool analysis was obtained to exclude parasitic infestation.There is statistically significant association between AA and atopy, vitiligo, hypertension and hypothyrodism. There is statistically significant relation between severity of AA and duration of the disease/ month while there was highly significant difference regarding site of the lesion. There is a highly significant relation between site of AA and its severity.Summary 92 In studying thyroid functions between cases and control groups there are there are ststistically significant differences between cases and control groups regarding levels of TSH& free T3, while there is highly significant difference regarding level of free T4.There are statistically high significant differences in TSH& free T3 and severity of AA, while there is significant difference in free T4 level as regard severity of AA.In studying thyroid autoantibodies between cases and control groups we found that positive thyroglobulin antibodies were associated with AA in 23 (46%) patients, while positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies were associated with AA in 24 (48%) patients, with significant association between subgroups of AA and presence of these antibodies. The frequency of thyroid autoantibodies was highly significant in AA patients than in healthy controls.Our findings pointed to a significant association between AA and thyroid autoimmunity and showed the tests to detect thyroid autoantibodies to be relevant in AA patients.