‘The psychosocial burden of alopecia areata and androgenetica’: a cross‐sectional multicentre study among dermatological out‐patients in 13 European countries

Abstract

Background Hair diseases play an important burden on patients’ lives, causing significant emotional and psychosocial distress. However, the impairment due to different hair conditions, such as alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA), has rarely been compared. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the psychological burden of subgroups of patients with different hair diseases and to compare them to a healthy population. Methods In this study, we analysed a subgroup of patients with hair diseases from patients of a large multicentre study including 3635 dermatological patients and 1359 controls from 13 European countries. In the subgroup of patients with hair diseases, we analysed the socio‐demographic characteristics, the stress level, and the impact of hair diseases on quality of life (QoL), anxiety, and depression and we compared them among patients with AA, AGA and healthy controls. Results The study population included 115 patients (77% women, 23% men) with hair diseases, 37 of whom with AA and 20 with AGA. Patients with hair diseases had a lower education level than healthy controls (medium educational level: 43% vs. 28%). Overall, 41% of the patients reported stressful life events during the last 6 months compared with 31% of the controls. Patients with the same age, sex, depression level and comorbidities had a worse QoL when suffering from AA than from AGA (Mean Dermatology Life Quality Index score: 5.8 vs. 2.5). Conclusion Patients with hair diseases are more anxious, depressed and have a lower QoL than controls.

Increase in IL-15 levels in patients with alopecia areata

“…The results showed that patients with AA had a worse quality of life compared to patients with AGA (mean dermatological quality of life index: 5.8 vs. 2.5). The study confirmed that patients with hair disease are more anxious, depressed and have a lower quality of life compared to the control group [10].…”

Caffeine and Its Pharmacological Benefits in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

“…Hence, caffeine has a high potential to be beneficial in subjects suffering from hair loss that originates from premature termination of the hair growth phase [39]. Hair loss can lead to a variety of psychological concerns [40] including the development of depression and anxiety [41] and has a negative impact on the quality of life (QoL) [42]. It affects a person’s sense of self and identity [43] as common responses to hair loss include the loss of self-confidence, lowered self-esteem, and heightened self-consciousness [42].…”

“…Considering the results from the noninferiority study, one may question whether a drug-based treatment remains appropriate for alleviating a non-life-threatening condition like AGA. The negative impacts of AGA are mainly limited to psychological concerns primarily due to the effects of hair loss on the cosmetic appearance [40]. Hence, special consideration needs to be given to the risk-benefit profile when choosing a suitable treatment option.…”

Scalp Micro-Pigmentation via Transcutaneous Implantation of Flexible Tissue Interlocking Biodegradable Microneedles

“…Although the disruption of the hair cycle is not life-threatening, it can have major effects on the psychological state of individuals [13,14,15]. Therefore, various solutions, including United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, DHT-reducing medications and hair grafting surgeries, were introduced to treat alopecia [16].…”