Atopy and alopecia areata in North Indians
Sukhjot, S.; Sharma, V.K.; Kumar, L.; Kumar, B.
Indian Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprology 67(5): 231-233
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0973-3922 PMID: 17664757 Document Number: 535938
This study was undertaken with the aim of evaluating the effect of associated atopy on severity and age at onset of alopecia areata in north Indians. Presence of atopy was elicited by detailed history, examination and intracutaneous tests. Chisquare test was carried out to evaluate statistical significance. One hundred patients (76 males and 24 females) with alopecia areata were evaluated. Historical evidence of atopy was present in 50 including patients alone (23), Patients and first degree relatives (11) and first degree relatives alone (16). Intracutaneous tests were positive in 23 out of 50 patients tested randomly. There was a trend towards increasing frequency of severe alopecia as evidence of atopy became stronger e.g. both patient and first degree relative with atopy or positive intracutaneous test but results did not attain statistical significance. Similarly the onset and duration of alopecia areata was not significantly related to the presence of atopy. It is concluded that in north Indians with alopecia areata, the presence of atopy is not significantly associated with severe alopecia or onset at younger age.