Alopecia Areata in the Elderly: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

January 2015 in “ Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology ”

Yong Hyun Jang, Kyung Hea Park, Sang Lim Kim, Hyun Jung Lim, Weon Ju Lee, Seok Jong Lee, Do Won Kim

alopecia areata scalp-localized hair loss hair graying therapeutic response pathogenesis

TLDR Alopecia areata in elderly people is usually mild and responds well to treatment.

The 10-year retrospective study on alopecia areata (AA) in the elderly analyzed 200 elderly patients and found that AA in this age group presented with mild disease severity, with 74.3% experiencing less than 50% scalp hair loss. The study noted a higher prevalence of comorbid conditions such as thyroid disease and diabetes in elderly patients. A favorable therapeutic response was observed in 62.9% of cases. The research suggested that melanocytes might be a possible autoimmune target and emphasized the importance of considering a patient's history of atopy or autoimmunity. The study concluded that age-specific factors and comorbidities should be considered in the management and treatment of AA in elderly patients, and further research was needed to understand the influence of aging on AA pathogenesis.

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research Familial Aggregation of Alopecia Areata

295 citations , May 2016 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune hair loss condition, often runs in families.

research Late-Onset Alopecia Areata: A Retrospective Study of 73 Patients from Taiwan

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research Alopecia Areata Update

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Half of people with Alopecia Areata may see hair regrowth within a year without treatment, but recovery is unpredictable.

research Melanocytes: A Possible Autoimmune Target in Alopecia Areata

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Melanocytes might be targeted by the immune system in people with alopecia areata, but more research is needed.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

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Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.

research Autoimmunity: Alopecia Areata

143 citations , January 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing hair loss, treatable with immune-modulating drugs, and linked to genetics.

research The Pattern and Profile of Alopecia Areata in Singapore: A Study of 219 Asians

275 citations , November 2002 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata mainly affects young people and has significant psychological impacts, especially in males.