Immune-Mediated Disorders in Patients With Alopecia Areata: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

July 2025 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Piotr K. Krajewski, Beata Jastrząb, Jacek C. Szepietowski, Alina Jankowska‐Konsur, David Saceda‐Corralo

alopecia areata immune-mediated disorders vitiligo systemic lupus erythematosus autoimmune thyroiditis atopic disorders

TLDR Alopecia areata patients have a higher risk of other immune-related diseases.

This meta-analysis of 18 studies involving 462,945 alopecia areata (AA) patients and 11,488,192 healthy controls found that AA is significantly associated with an increased risk of various immune-mediated comorbidities. Notably, the odds ratios (ORs) for comorbid conditions such as vitiligo (OR 6.61), systemic lupus erythematosus (OR 3.28), and autoimmune thyroiditis (OR 1.57) were elevated. The prevalence of these comorbidities varied, with atopic disorders being the most common at 38.65%. These results highlight the importance of comprehensive screening and interdisciplinary management for patients with AA due to their heightened risk of other immune-mediated diseases.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata and Vitiligo: Commonalities and Differences

April 2024 in “International journal of molecular sciences”

Alopecia areata and vitiligo share immune system dysfunction but differ in specific immune responses and affected areas.

Prevalence of Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases and Mental Health Conditions Among an Alopecia Areata Cohort from a US Administrative Claims Database

research Prevalence of Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases and Mental Health Conditions Among an Alopecia Areata Cohort from a US Administrative Claims Database

1 citations , June 2023 in “Journal of Dermatology”

People with Alopecia Areata are more likely to have autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.

research Alopecia Areata and Risk of Atopic and Autoimmune Conditions: Population-Based Cohort Study

34 citations , November 2022 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata are more likely to have other immune-related conditions.

research Lifestyle Factors Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

16 citations , January 2022 in “International journal of molecular sciences”

Certain daily habits like stress, diet, and sleep can affect the severity of hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Evaluation of Several Immune and Inflammatory Indicators and Their Association with Alopecia Areata

5 citations , September 2021 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have abnormal thyroid hormones, thyroid antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, low vitamin D, and high C-reactive protein levels.

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 Treatment of Alopecia Universalis with Topical Janus Kinase Inhibitors – A Double Blind, Placebo, and Active Controlled Pilot Study

49 citations , August 2018 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Topical JAK inhibitors may help treat alopecia universalis by promoting hair regrowth.

research Comorbidities in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

100 citations , July 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have other health issues like skin diseases, metabolic syndrome, stomach infections, lupus, anemia, thyroid problems, mental health issues, vitamin D deficiency, and hearing and eye problems.

research Association of Alopecia Areata with Atopic Dermatitis and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

27 citations , March 2018 in “Allergy and asthma proceedings”

People with alopecia areata often have higher rates of allergies and autoimmune diseases.

research Comorbidities in Patients with Alopecia Areata

56 citations , March 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata patients often have eczema, thyroid issues, vitamin-D deficiency, and anemia.

research Understanding Autoimmunity of Vitiligo and Alopecia Areata

74 citations , May 2016 in “Current opinion in pediatrics, with evaluated MEDLINE/Current opinion in pediatrics”

Both vitiligo and alopecia areata involve an immune response triggered by stress and specific genes, with treatments targeting this pathway showing potential.

research Organ Specificity in Autoimmune Diseases: Thyroid and Islet Autoimmunity in Alopecia Areata

32 citations , March 2015 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

Alopecia areata is linked to thyroid autoimmunity but not type 1 diabetes.

research Lymphocytes, Neuropeptides, And Genes Involved In Alopecia Areata

286 citations , August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where T cells attack hair follicles.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

community Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

MagicBold in Research 865 upvotes 1 year ago

The treatment for androgenetic alopecia involves using finasteride and minoxidil with intense exercise and cold exposure to boost metabolism and reduce androgenic effects, potentially leading to hair regrowth. This approach may activate biological pathways for improved hair and overall health.

community PP405: The Ultimate Hair Loss Drug for Complete Hair Growth

in Research/Science 207 upvotes 1 year ago

PP405 is a new hair loss treatment in phase 2 trials that may promote hair growth by increasing lactate production and activating hair follicle stem cells. It could potentially replace hormone-disrupting treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride.

community New Treatments, and a Huge Group Buy with Lots of Research

in Research/Science 109 upvotes 2 years ago

A user is organizing a group buy for various compounds aimed at reversing hair loss and gray hair, and improving brain health and fat loss. The user has developed a treatment plan based on extensive research and is inviting others to participate, with the option to choose only the compounds they need.

community What is the ultimate hair regrowth protocol

in Treatment 28 upvotes 7 months ago

The conversation covers aggressive hair regrowth treatments like Dutasteride, Minoxidil (oral and topical), RU58841, microneedling, and ketoconazole shampoo. It also mentions PRP, laser therapy, GHK-Cu injections, and hormone therapy for maximum regrowth.

community The Real Cause Of Androgenetic Alopecia

in Research/Science 677 upvotes 1 year ago

Androgenetic alopecia is caused by DHT affecting hair growth. Finasteride and minoxidil are used to manage hair loss by blocking DHT and promoting hair growth.

community HT / Meds results are reverting, thinning, crazy shedding..

in Progress Pictures 164 upvotes 1 year ago

A user experienced significant hair shedding and thinning 10 months post-hair transplant despite using minoxidil and topical finasteride. They are considering switching to oral finasteride or dutasteride and are also dealing with scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis.

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata

October 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica (Print)”

People with severe hair loss have lower zinc levels in their blood.