Abstract:Although the results of some studies have proven negative, the influence of psychological factors in the development, evolution and therapeutic management of alopecia areata is, in general, well documented. Life events and intrapsychically generated stress can play an important role in triggering of some episodes. The comorbidity of psychiatric disorders, mainly generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and phobic states, is high. The role of treatment of concomitant psychopathological disorders is a vital one… Show more
Objective: Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease characterized by patchy hair loss. Although the etiopathogenesis of AA is still unclear, it has been hypothesized that immune system dysfunction and stress are involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible associations between AA and depression, anxiety and serum levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10.
Materials and Methods:Forty-three patients who were diagnosed with AA were prospectively enrolled into the study. Thirty age-and sex-matched healthy individuals were included as the control group. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety were used. For children between the ages of 7 and 16, the Children's Depression Inventories was completed. Serum levels of the cytokines IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were analyzed by ELISA.Results: No significant differences were observed between patients and controls with respect to serum cytokine levels (p>0.05). Depression rates were found to be 50% and 30% in AA patients and controls, respectively (p<0.05). Similarly, anxiety rates were found to be 63% and 23.3% in AA patients and controls, respectively (p<0.05).
Conclusion:Depression and anxiety were found more frequent in AA patients than healthy individuals. Therefore, when considering management therapy, an entire psychiatric evaluation should also be performed. However, no differences were found in serum cytokine levels of patients and controls.
Objective: Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease characterized by patchy hair loss. Although the etiopathogenesis of AA is still unclear, it has been hypothesized that immune system dysfunction and stress are involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible associations between AA and depression, anxiety and serum levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10.
Materials and Methods:Forty-three patients who were diagnosed with AA were prospectively enrolled into the study. Thirty age-and sex-matched healthy individuals were included as the control group. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety were used. For children between the ages of 7 and 16, the Children's Depression Inventories was completed. Serum levels of the cytokines IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were analyzed by ELISA.Results: No significant differences were observed between patients and controls with respect to serum cytokine levels (p>0.05). Depression rates were found to be 50% and 30% in AA patients and controls, respectively (p<0.05). Similarly, anxiety rates were found to be 63% and 23.3% in AA patients and controls, respectively (p<0.05).
Conclusion:Depression and anxiety were found more frequent in AA patients than healthy individuals. Therefore, when considering management therapy, an entire psychiatric evaluation should also be performed. However, no differences were found in serum cytokine levels of patients and controls.
“…Research [9][10][11][12] shows that stress significantly slows wound healing, increases pain intensity, and slows surgery recovery rates. Evidence [13][14][15][16][17] that psychological stress may influence the course of dermatological disease is also growing, especially in the settings of psoriasis, alopecia areata, and atopic dermatitis. Clearly, there are some psychological components to the etiology of acne, because treatments such as biofeedback relaxation and cognitive imagery have been shown to be effective.…”
Background: Although emotional stress has long been suspected to exacerbate acne vulgaris, previous reports addressing its influence on acne severity have been mainly anecdotal.Objectives: To elucidate the possible relationship between stress and acne exacerbation by evaluating changes in acne severity during nonexamination and examination periods and to assess the possible relationship of these changes in severity with perceived examination stress by using previously validated scales measuring acne severity and perceived stress.
“…Sin embargo, en la AA estas evidencias han sido circunstanciales (43). Hay autores que muestran relación entre estrés y AA (8,44), y otros que no le conceden significación (45). Existe un volumen importante de trabajos que se ocupa del estrés psicosocial como desencadenante de los brotes.…”
Section: Comienzo De La Enfermedadunclassified
“…El estrés psicosocial puede actuar como desencadenante de los brotes (38). Los pacientes con altas puntuaciones en variables psicopatológicas presentan un peor ajuste a la enfermedad que aquellos con formas más extensas y graves (44), lo que señala la importancia del estrés generado intrapsíquicamente. Es posible que la morbilidad psiquiátrica existente en la AA se encuentre infradiagnosticada e infratratada.…”
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