National, Regional, And Global Epidemiology Of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Analysis Based On Modeling Study

January 2025 in “ Dermatologic Therapy ”

Shuntong Kang, Dingyao Zhang, Yaqing Huang, Jingru Tian, Qianjin Lu

alopecia areata nonscarring hair loss epidemiology diagnostic methods

TLDR Alopecia areata affects about 1.93% of people worldwide, with more women affected than men.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common nonscarring hair loss condition with varying epidemiology across different regions and demographics. This systematic analysis, based on 73 studies, estimated the global point prevalence of AA at 1.93%, affecting approximately 15.05 million people. The prevalence was higher in the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt. Globally, 10.29 million adults and 4.76 million children were affected, with women more likely to suffer from AA than men. The study highlighted significant gaps in epidemiological data, with 89.1% of countries lacking information, and noted variations in prevalence due to differences in diagnostic methods and demographic factors.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

15 / 15 results

research Economic Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Study of Direct and Indirect Cost in Japan Using Real-World Data

2 citations , July 2023 in “Journal of dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes a significant economic burden in Japan, mainly due to productivity loss.

research The Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Scoping Review Focusing on Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Work Productivity

10 citations , January 2023 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Alopecia areata greatly affects people's life quality, mental health, and work life.

research Alopecia Areata: An Update on Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management

290 citations , August 2021 in “Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology”

JAK inhibitors show promise for treating alopecia areata, but more research is needed.

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

148 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.

research Development and Pilot-Testing of the Alopecia Areata Assessment Tool (ALTO)

6 citations , June 2018 in “PLOS ONE”

The Alopecia Areata Assessment Tool (ALTO) effectively identifies alopecia areata from other hair loss types but needs more validation.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Insights from January 2018

290 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss, influenced by genetics, stress, and diet, and may be prevented by a high soy oil diet.

research The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review

63 citations , May 2017 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, and folate, but more research is needed to understand if supplements can help treat it.

research Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

95 citations , July 2016 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata, a skin disease, generally have a poor quality of life, especially if more of their scalp is affected.

research Alopecia Areata: Animal Models Illuminate Autoimmune Pathogenesis and Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategies

82 citations , March 2016 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

Animal models have helped understand hair loss from alopecia areata and find new treatments.

research Epidemiology and Burden of Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

144 citations , July 2015 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology”

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting about 2% of people, causing significant disability and often associated with mental health issues and other autoimmune conditions.

research The Autoimmune Basis of Alopecia Areata: A Comprehensive Review

162 citations , October 2014 in “Autoimmunity reviews”

Alopecia areata is caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles.

research Global Burden of Skin Disease as Reflected in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

70 citations , May 2014 in “JAMA Dermatology”

The representation of skin conditions in medical reviews partly matches their real-world impact.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

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.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

nkrata in Research 830 upvotes 1 year ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community Scientists have finally found the potential ‘cure’ for baldness

in Research/Science 3 years ago

A new study that found a single chemical could potentially be responsible for hair loss, and the potential to use this discovery to stimulate hair growth. The conversation also includes various treatments such as Minoxidil, Finasteride, RU58841, microneedling, DUT, and Botox for hair loss.

community DUPA VS. FAPD, which is more treatable? Which is worse?

in Research/Science 8 upvotes 1 year ago

DUPA is considered more treatable than FAPD, as FAPD involves scarring that prevents hair regrowth. The user has started treatment with oral dutasteride and minoxidil, hoping for better results than previous treatments.

community My scalp punch biopsy results🤔?

in Female 9 upvotes 3 years ago

Female using Rogaine foam for hair loss had scalp punch biopsy, diagnosed with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA). Doctor recommended starting Spironolactone 50mg.

community If follicles became miniaturized and haven’t grown in 3 years, are they dead ?

in Chat 3 years ago

Hair loss and its potential treatments, such as minoxidil, finasteride, RU58841, dermarolling, and supplements. It discusses whether miniaturized follicles can be revived to grow again or must shed for new growth to appear.

community scarring alopecia awareness in this community

in Chat 33 upvotes 3 years ago

Lichen Planopilaris (LPP), a form of permanent hair loss, which can be mistaken for seborrheic dermatitis and is characterized by scalp itching, burning, redness, and dandruff. Treatment options discussed include steroidal creams, finasteride, minoxidil, and RU58841.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Index

November 2019 in “Harper's Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology”

The document is a detailed medical reference on skin and genetic disorders.

Telogen Effluvium: A Review of Acute and Chronic Forms

research Update on the Genetics of Androgenetic Alopecia, Female Pattern Hair Loss, and Alopecia Areata: Implications for Molecular Diagnostic Testing

11 citations , November 2012 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Genetic factors affect hair loss, and molecular testing may help predict, diagnose, and treat it.