Evaluation of Thyroid Biomarkers in Patients with Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss condition influenced by factors like thyroid dysfunction. The objective of the study was to evaluate the thyroid biomarkers level in patients with alopecia areata compared to healthy control cases. The present study was a cross-sectional study carried out in Erbil Dermatology Teaching Center in Erbil City, Kurdistan region-Iraq during six months from the 1st of January to the 30th of June, 2022. A total of 100 patients with alopecia areata and 100 healthy individuals as controls were included in the study. Data on patients' characteristics, clinical features, and thyroid profiles were collected through questionnaires and blood samples. The samples were analysed using specific laboratory techniques, and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program. Statistical tests, including chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, t-tests, and ANOVA, were used to examine relationships and significant differences between variables. A significance level of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean thyroid stimulating hormone was significantly higher among alopecia areata patients as compared to controls (p=0.02). Mean thyroxin hormone was significantly higher among alopecia areata patients as compared to controls. There was a significant association between positive Anti-thyroid peroxidase and alopecia areata (p=0.05). A significant association was observed between positive antithyroglobulin antibody and alopecia areata (p=0.004). This study also identified factors such as social deprivation, urbanization, occupation, and underweight as potential contributors to alopecia areata. These findings highlight the significant role of thyroid dysfunction in the development of alopecia areata.