Periodontitis May Increase Risk of Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Korea

This study investigated the potential link between periodontitis and alopecia areata (AA) using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service claims database. Patients diagnosed with periodontitis between 2002 and 2004 were followed until December 2019. The findings indicated a statistically significant higher risk of developing AA in individuals with periodontitis, with an adjusted hazard ratio (a-HR) of 1.36. The risk was notably higher in children and young adults compared to older adults. Additionally, the periodontitis group showed a higher risk of AA-related comorbidities, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and atopic dermatitis. These results suggested a possible connection between periodontitis and AA, highlighting the potential for new therapeutic strategies targeting the oral-hair follicle axis.