The Impact of Recent Life Events on Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Study from Iran

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Skin and Stem Cell Research Center And Department of Dermatology, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Rasoul Akram Hospital ,Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Resident, Department of Dermatology, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Resident, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center And Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan And Department of Dermatology, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) affects 0.1%-0.2% of the general population, and occurs in both males and females. Initial presentation occurs most commonly in the late teenage years, early childhood or young adulthood, but can happen in all ages. In the present study, we aimed to find an association between the onset of AA and preceding emotional stress.Methods: A total of 47 patients diagnosed with AA and 47 controls (healthy subjects matched on age and gender) were enrolled to the study at the dermatology clinic of Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Participants were administered Paykel's questionnaire for recent life events, and the demographic data of all subjects was also collected simultaneously.Findings: The distribution of AA was as follows: 30 (63.8%) subjects in head, beard in 16 (34%) and body in 1 (2.1%) subject. The total score of recent life events (during the last 12 months) was not significantly different between the AA patients (6.9 ± 1.01) and the control subjects (7.12 ± 0.91) (P = 0.95). Conclusion: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that stressful life events are associated with the occurrence of AA.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 29, Issue 173 - Serial Number 173
November and December 2012
Pages 3053-3058

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History

  • Receive Date: 12 March 2012
  • Revise Date: 30 April 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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