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Background and Design: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, chronic, autoimmune disease that causes psychological effects on patients. Distress and psychological factors play roles in the onset and flares of the disease. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between neurotrophins (NT) and psychological distress in AA patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 50 AA patients and 50 healthy volunteers as a control group. The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were used in the evaluation of psychological distress. Serum levels of NTs [brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4)] were measured. Results: Scores of DASS-21 were found to be higher, and scores of DTS were found to be lower in AA patients. Serum BDNF and NT-3 levels did not differ significantly between groups. While the serum NGF level was significantly higher, the NT-4 level was significantly lower in the AA group than in the control group. In the AA group, a similar significant relationship was found between BDNF and stress subscale scores; in the control group, no significant correlation was found between serum NT levels and DASS-21 and DTS scores. Conclusion: Our study supports the relationship between AA, psychological factors, and NTs. More studies are needed to investigate the relationship between AA and stress neuroimmunology to understand better the common pathophysiology of AA, stress, and various psychiatric diseases.

Copyright of Türkiye Klinikleri Journal of Ophthalmology is the property of Turkiye Klinikleri and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hair loss is a common cause of presentation to dermatology outpatient clinics and an important disorder affecting the quality of life of patients. Alopecia with cicatricial and non-cicatricial subtypes is a common cause of cosmetic problems. Interest in the use of microneedling as an independent and adjunctive treatment for hair loss disorders has been increasing recently. Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses multiple needles to create micro punctures in the skin. The penetration of the microneedles produces a controlled skin injury with minimal epidermal damage and stimulates dermal wound healing, hence neovascularisation and the release of growth factors. In hair loss, the stimulation of hair growth by microneedling is related to the wound healing process that occurs in response to the trauma it creates. Microneedling therapy has been shown to stimulate hair growth through the release of various growth factors, stimulation of dermal papilla stem cells and various mechanisms. Although evidence suggests that microneedling may improve hair loss, clinical data are relatively limited. There is not yet a standardised needle length and procedure consensus for treatment and clinical data are relatively limited. With more participants and multi-centre experimental studies, microneedling may become a basic or adjunctive procedure in US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved hair loss treatments. In this review, the mechanism of action of microneedling, the procedure of use with the data in the literature, and its effectiveness in androgenetic alopecia, alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and other hair loss types will be discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the relationship between Alopecia Areata and depression was examined. Thirty people, 15 diagnosed with Alopecia Areata and 15 not diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, participated in the study. An informed consent form, sociodemographic information form, psychoanalytically oriented semi-structured interview form, Rorschach Inkblot Test, and Beck Depression Inventory were used. Obtained data were analyzed with the Mann Whitney U test. Two groups significantly differed in terms of the Beck Depression Inventory scores. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of Dbl, Ad+Hd, C', F+/-, E responses determined in the Rorschach Inkblot Test to measure depressive anxiety. When the cards of the Rorschach Inkblot Test implicating the early mother image were analyzed qualitatively, responses mainly included insecure and scary mother images. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of kob, C, CF, and anatomy responses determined to measure the behaviors of resorting to manic defenses and somatization. According to the results of the analysis, depressive anxiety, resulting from the deficiencies in the containing function of the caregiver, is associated with the symptoms of Alopecia Areata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: This study aimed to reveal the effects of the crisis period and normalization process after the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dermatology practice to anticipate future health problems. Materials and Methods: All patients were enrolled from the dermatology outpatient clinics between February and July 2020 (pre-COVID-19 period, crisis period, and normalization period). Data such as age, sex, application dates, diagnoses, and treatment methods were received from the electronic registration database. Results: The number of patients in the normalization period (32.3%) increased relative to that in the crisis period (11.5%), and it was significantly lower than that before the pandemic (56.2%). Remarkably, the change in the distribution of stress-related diseases, such as idiopathic generalized pruritus, alopecia areata, and herpes zoster, stably paralleled each other and the increase and decrease trends during the crisis and normalization periods, respectively. The increase in the frequency of contact dermatitis, which was not reflected in the crisis period, became evident in the normalization period (p

Background and Design: Vitiligo and alopecia areata (AA) can lead to stigma, shame, and embarrassment, and all of which can potentially result in social stress and poor quality of life (QoL). The incidence of Type D personality is higher in those with psychosomatic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of Type D personality in patients with vitiligo and AA in a Turkish population. Materials and Methods: This study prospectively enrolled 39 patients with AA, 46 patients with vitiligo, and 46 healthy individuals as controls. All the patients and healthy volunteers completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), Type D Personality scale (DS-14), and Dermatology Life Quality index. Results: There was no significant difference in the frequency of Type D personality among the three groups. The mean negative affectivity scores of the AA and vitiligo groups were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls (p=0.001). The mean HAD-A scores of the AA and vitiligo groups were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls (p=0.002). Conclusion: Our results revealed a relationship between the DS-14 total score and QoL in patients with vitiligo, with a higher total score associated with poor QoL. On the other hand, we did not detect this relationship in patients with AA. Type D personality is associated with elevated levels of psychological distress; thus, it may be related to poor QoL in vitiligo patients. Although we found high rates of Type D personality in patients with AA or vitiligo, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of Type D personality in the patient populations compared with that in the healthy control group.

Objective:In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and the quality of life in patients with alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo.Materials and Methods:The study group includes 60 patients with AA, 44 patients with vitiligo and 61 patients with control group. Sociodemographic and clinical features of study group and vitamin D levels of all participants were recorded. According to the records, it was evaluated as vitamin D deficiency for 25(OH)D level under 20 ng/mL, vitamin D insufficiency for 20-29 ng/mL and normal level for equal to and over 30 ng/mL. Patients were requested to fill out the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire.Results:In our study, the vitamin D level of the patient group was found lower than the control group (p

Copyright of Dermatoz is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Inflammatory skin diseases may involve nail during clinical course, particularly psoriasis, lichen planus, alopecia areata, autoimmune bullous diseases, eczema. Sometimes these diseases may even present with nail involvement. The findings of the nail vary according to the affected part of the nail. If inflammation is predominantly on the nail bed, findings such as onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis, splinter hemorrhage may be present, and if matrix involvement is prominent, findings ranging from pitting, leukonychia, transverse groove to total nail dystrophy may occur. Although nail findings of inflammatory skin diseases are generally similar, in some cases, nail findings may play a key role in the differential diagnosis as in patients with erythrodermia presenting at the time of initial presentation and who cannot provide clear information about previous skin diseases. For this reason, nail findings of inflammatory nail diseases are an issue that must be known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nail disorders in children can be divided into seven categories including physiologic alterations, congenital or inherited conditions, infections, dermatologic diseases, traumatic nail changes, systemic or iatrogenic nail alterations and other disordes. Nail dystrophies may represent a clue for the diagnosis of a syndrome (e.g. nail-patella syndrome) or dermatological disease (e.g. lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata). Some nail disorders are physiologic which is important to know because of disappearance with age and not requiring any treatment. Congenital nail fold hypertrophy of great toenail is also known as pseudoingrown toe nail and regresses within the first year of life. Periungual warts are the most common infectious disease in pediatric population. Beau lines on several fingernails are very common in children after temperature crest. Tumors are rare in children. Longitudinal melanonychia is mostly due to benign melanocytic hyperplasia in children. Leukonychia, is mostly true leukonychia in childhood and punctate type which is due to trauma. Onychophagia and onychotillomania are most common reasons of chronic trauma in childhood. “Playstation” (Nintendo thumb) or “cell phone” thumb have been described recently as painful thumbs caused from repetitive injury in conjunction with the dramatic rise in playing of videogames or cell phone texting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair loss is a condition that can adversely affect a person's mental and social well-being. Although there is a wide range of medical and surgical treatments to prevent or treat hair loss, these treatments may not always deliver the desired results. Hair prostheses and scalp camouflage methods can help patients to conceal their areas affected by hair loss and reduce their appearance related complaints. Wigs and topical products such as hair fibers, powder cakes, camouflaging lotions, camouflaging sprays are useful and easy to use methods for most of the alopecias. Scalp micropigmentation is a tattoo method which has recently become popular among patients who seek permanent scalp camouflage. Better knowledge of hair prostheses and scalp camouflage methods by physicians interested in hair loss may enable them to offer quality of life improving recommendations to patients with hair loss related complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chemotherapy induced alopecia is one of the most devastating findings of cancer treatment for oncology patients psychologically. In this study, we aimed to investigate the significance of videodermoscopic features of chemotherapy induced alopecia. Material and Methods: Fourty-one patients, who were treated with chemotherapy and were diagnosed as chemotherapy induced alopecia after clinical evaluation, were included. The age, gender, skin phototype, diagnosis of malignancy, chemotherapy agents in the treatment protocol, location of the alopecia and the severity of alopecia were recorded. Trichoscopic photos were held in X30-X50 fold magnifications. All of the trichoscopic findings were examined in accordance with the checklist which was described by the features of the previous publications. Results: Hair diameter diversity were detected in all of the patients as a follicular feature. Black dots were established in 78%, yellow dots in 75.6%, broken hairs in 51.2%, Pohl-Pinkus in 46.3%, exclamation mark hairs and flame figures in 26.8% of the patients. Bicoulored, short vellus and moniletrix-like hairs were detected in 22%, pigtail and tapering hairs in 19.5%, tulip hairs in 14.6% and zigzag hairs in 9.8% of the patients. V hairs in 7.3%, comma hairs, peripilar finding and empty follicles were established in 4.9% of the patients as other rare findings. Neutrophil like hairs were detected in 7.3% of the patients for the first time. Conclusion: Zigzag hair, tulip hair and V hair were the new trichoscopy findings in chemotherapy induced alopecia. Neutrophil like hairs were defined for the first time in this study. Dermoscopic features of chemotherapy induced alopecia indicates some similar findings for alopecia areata and trichotillomania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, laser and light therapies have become increasingly popular in the treatment of various skin diseases. Alopecia is a common disease affecting more than half of the world's population. Both androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata are common types of hair loss disorders. Hair loss stemming from different types of alopecia, in many circumstances, causes serious psychological and emotional distress as a result of cosmetic disfigurement, and frequently requires treatment. However, current conventional treatment methods in these diseases may result in various adverse effects and often lack efficacy. Recently, both laser and light sources have been applied in various hair disorders, especially in cases of androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. In this review, clinicians were provided with a summary of laser and light-based modalities used for the treatment of alopecia, particularly androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Laser and light treatments offer a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of alopecia. However, to determine the clinical effectiveness of these novel therapies, in the future, randomized controlled clinical trials with larger samples, longer follow-up, and independent funding sources should be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Dermatology / Turk Dermatoloji Dergisis is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Turner syndrome is one of the most common sex chromosomal abnormalities. The incidence of Turner's syndrome is higher in conception, but the majority of these conceptions result in mortality in intrauterine period. Alopecia areata meaning hair loss is a disease that can affect both sexes, and its prevalence is around 1-2% in the world. Alopecia universalis is an advanced form of alopecia areata and it is characterized by the complete loss of hair on the scalp and body. The association of Turner syndrome and alopecia universalis has been reported rarely in the literature. In this case report, a case with alopecia universalis and Turner syndrome whose karyotype is 45, X / 46, X, i (X) (q10) was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halo scalp ring describes an annular scalp alopecia that arises perinatally and may present as a temporary and non-scarring alopecia or as a permanent hair loss. Herein, a-9-month old boy with a 3-months history of band like alopecia that encircled the posterior aspect of his head was presented. This case was remarkable with the presence of the history of cesarean section without any perinatal complications, and the presence of a non-temporary, late onset, ring shaped hair loss. We present this case to focus on this rare neonatal hair disorder and to discuss the possible differential diagnoses, approach and counseling to an infant with an acquired band like localized alopecia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease and cytokines play important roles development of this disease. Previous studies showed significantly increased serum IL-6, as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, levels in AA patients compared to healthy controls. The -174G/C polymorphism in the promoter of the IL-6 gene that affects IL-6 serum levels. The aim of present study was to assess whether IL-6 -174G/C promoter polymorphism is associated with AA. Methods: The study included 146 unrelated patients with AA and 133 unrelated healthy controls. The genotyping of IL-6 gene - 174 G/C polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Results: Genotype and allele distribution of IL-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism was not found to be significantly different between patients and controls (p=0.749 and p=0.228, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows that IL-6 gene -174 G/C polymorphism is not a predisposing factor for AA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine family functioning, psychopathology, quality of life in children and adolescents diagnosed with alopecia areata (AA), and to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic and disease-related variables. Method: 45 patients from 2 to 18 years of age were examined retrospectively. The Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), the Children Depression Inventory (CDI) and the sociodemographic data sheet were used. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: Of the subjects assessed, the mean age was 9.22±3.79 and 55.6% were female. The FAD affective involvement and behaviour control subscales demonstrated impairment in the entire case group (>2). 42.2% of the cases received at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Presence of psychiatric comorbidity caused impairment in all the subscales of depression, FAD general functioning, parental quality of life psychosocial health, and pediatric quality of life. A psychosocial trigger incident was detected in 51.1% of the cases. In cases, however, where no trigger incident was detected, CDI and PedsQL showed significant impairment in all the subscales (p<0.05). Lesion intensity was found positively associated only with the number of attacks and duration of the disease. Conclusion: Family functioning in AA patients is impaired in the subscales of affective involvement and behaviour control. Although psychosocial trigger incidents are common in AA, they may not be associated with psychopathology, quality of life and family functioning. Psychiatric comorbidity emerged as the factor which impaired the quality of life most. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to calculate the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and other inflamatory paramaters like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ECR) and C-reactive protein results (CRP) in Alopecia areata(AA) patients and determine the association between thoose laboratory values and AA. Method: 234 patients with AA and 37 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Number of neutrophil, lymphocyte, leucocyte, ESR and CRP were ascertained from patient's medical records. NLR was calculated and recorded. Results: While the difference between patient and control groups in terms of value of Neutrophils, Leukocytes, Hb and Esr were found to be insignificant (p>0.05), numbers of Lymphocyte (p=0,02) and value of Crp (P <0.001) in patients were found to be higher than those of healthy controls. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that NLR can not serve as a usuful marker for AA. And, as for CRP, larger-scale studies need to be done in order to demonstrate if it can serve as a marker or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, alopesi areatalı hastaların hematolojik parametrelerinin normal populasyonun hematolojik parametreleri ile karşılaştırılması ve olası değişikliklerin, farklılıkların saptanması amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Bu çalışma, geriye dönük olarak gerçekleştirildi. 2013-2015 Yıllarında Namık Kemal Üniversitesi, Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezi, Deri ve Zührevi Hastalıklar Polikliniği'ne başvurmuş 18-65 yaş arasındaki, 50 (35 erkek, 15 kadın) Alopesi Areata tanısı almış hasta, 50 (35 erkek, 15 kadın) sağlıklı kontrol, çalışmaya dahil edildi. Hastalara ve kontrol grubuna ait hematolojik parametreleri, kayıtlardan öğrenildi. Bulgular: AA' lı hastalara ait eritrosit sayısı (RBC), hemoglobin miktarı (Hb), hematokrit (Htc) değerleri, total lökosit, nötrofil, lenfosit ve monosit sayılarının kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı derecede yüksek, eritrosit dağılım aralığı (RDW-CV) değerinin ise anlamlı derecede düşük olduğu görüldü (sırasıyla p<0,05, p<0,01, p<0,01, p<0,05, p<0,05, p<0,05, p<0,05, p<0,001). Bu parametreler, cinsiyete göre değerlendirildiğinde ise, AA' lı kadınlarda ve erkeklerde RDW-CV değerinin kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı derecede düşük olduğu (sırasıyla p<0,05, p<0,01) saptandı. AA' lı erkeklerde ise Hb ve Htc değerlerinin erkek kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı derecede yüksek olduğu (sırasıyla p<0,01, p<0,01), total lökosit, nötrofil, lenfosit ve monosit sayılarının erkek kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı derecede yüksek saptandı (sırasıyla p<0,01, p<0,05, p<0,01, p<0,05). Sonuç: Bu çalışmada, AA'lı hastalarda normal popülasyona göre eritrositer seride ve lökositer seride gözlenen değişiklikler, hem hematopoezde, hem de hücresel immunitede aktivite artışının olduğunu düşündürmektedir. Bu bulgular, AA hastalarda hematopoezi uyaran faktörlerin varlığına, bu hastalığın immun sistemi aktive ettiğine ve etiyolojisinde otoimmunitenin rol oynamakta olduğuna işaret etmektedir. Öte yandan, bu çalışmada bildirilen verileri destekleyecek yeni çalışmalara ihtiyaç bulunduğu kanaatindeyiz. Objective: To compare hematological parameters in patients with alopecia areata (AA) and in a normal population sample in order to detect potential differences between these two groups. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted between 2013 and 2015 involving a total of 50 patients diagnosed with alopecia areata (35 male, 15 female) and 50 healthy controls (35 male, 15 female) between 18 and 65 years of age. Hematological parameters of patient and control subjects were retrieved from medical records. Results: Patients with AA had significantly higher red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Htc) values as well as total leukocyte, neutrophil, and monocyte counts as compared to controls; on the other hand the red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV) was significantly lower among those with AA (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.001 respectively). RDW-CV was significantly lower in both males and females with AA as compared to controls (p<0.05, and p<0.01, respectively). Males with AA had significantly higher Hb and Htc in comparison with male controls (p < 0.01 for both); similarly, significantly higher total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were found in male AA patients than in control males (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: The changes observed in erythrocyte and leukocyte cell lines in patients with AA as compared to controls suggest an increased activity both in hematopoiesis and cellular immunity. Also, they suggest the presence of factors that may stimulate hematopoiesis in AA patients as well as the presence of an immune activation, indicating that autoimmune processes may play a role in the etiology of this condition. Further studies are warranted to support our observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Dermatology / Turk Dermatoloji Dergisis is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Dermatology / Turk Dermatoloji Dergisis is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Design: Autologous serum skin test (ASST), the best in-vivo test displaying in vitro basophil histamin releasing activity, is used in the diagnosis of chronic autoimmune urticaria. Besides, it is cheap and is easy to perform. It has been found that in ASST-positive chronic urticaria patients, autoimmune thyroid disease especially and other autoimmune diseases were more common and the level of autoimmune markers were higher compared to others. Autoimmunity is accused in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata and vitiligo. In this study, we assessed ASST results in healthy controls and those with autoimmune diseases, and aimed to explore the effects of thyroid autoantibodies and other factors in ASST positivity. Materials and Methods: ASST was administered to 51 patients with alopecia areata, 53 patients with vitiligo and 51 healthy controls, and thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibodies (anti-Tg, anti-TPO) were assessed. Results: ASST was positive in 64.7% of patients with in alopecia areata, 64.2% of those with vitiligo and in 45.1 % of controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of ASST positivity. We observed that ASST positivity had no relationship with age, anti-Tg, anti-TPO and the presence of one or both autoantibody positivity. It was seen that the frequency of ASST positivity was higher in females than in men in all groups, but it was statistically significant in alopecia areata group only. Among the all study groups, the frequency of ASST positivity was statistically significantly higher in females than in men. Conclusion: The high rates of ASST positivity in individuals with alopecia areata and vitiligo as well as in healthy control, indicate that ASST positivity does not solely exist in chronic urticaria patients. With logical regression analysis, it was shown that, having alopecia areata and being female significantly increase the risk of having ASST positivity. Therefore, we assume that ASST positivity might indicate the autoimmune etiology for alopecia areata and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases in female gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by non-ciatricial hair loss with exacerbations and remissions. Although its etiopathogenesis is not known, autoimmune factors have been suggested. Our aim was to make contribution to the epidemiological properties of AA in Turkey, and to determine the poor prognostic factors that affect the course of the disease. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty-four patients who applied to the dermatology and venereology outpatient clinic of Istanbul Medical Faculty were included in the study. The patients were retrospectively investigated in terms of age, gender, clinical type, the area affected by alopecia, severity of the disease, number of relapses, disease duration, age at disease onset, presence of nevus flammeus, nail involvement, history of emotional and/or physical stress, family history of AA, family and personal history of atopy. Results: Of the 134 patients, 79 (59 percent) were male, 55 (41 percent) were female and M/F ratio was 1.4/1. The clinical type was AA in 86.5%, alopecia totalis (AT) in 3.7% and alopecia universalis (AU) in 9.7% of the cases. The most common involvement was the scalp in both genders and 92.1% of them had patch pattern. Severe involvement was found to be significant in the female patients (p=0.029), in those with juvenile onset (p=0.001), and ≥1 year of disease duration (p=0.001) as well as in the presence of nevus flammeus (p=0.017) and nail involvement (p=0.015). A family history of AA was present in 27.6% of the cases and it was more common in the juvenile group (p=0.034). There was no association between the severity of the disease and atopy. Conclusion: AA follows a more severe course in female patients and in patients with juvenile onset, nail involvement, nevus flammeus, long disease duration, and a family history of AA than in others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: Current studies link vitamin D deficiency with many autoimmune diseases. Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune dermatological disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and alopecia areata. Materials and Methods: 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in 40 patients with alopecia areata and age, gender and skin phototypematched healthy controls were evaluated. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured in all subjects and grouped as normal/sufficient (>30 ng/ml), insufficient (15-30 ng/ml) and deficient (<15 ng/ml). Results: Both the study and control groups were composed of 21 females and 19 males. The mean age was 31.23±7.34 (21-50) and 30.58±7.19 (21-48), respectively. In the study group, 2.5% of patients (n=1) had normal, 15% (n=6) insufficient and 82.5% (n=33) of patients had deficient 25(OH)D levels. In the control group, 2.5% (n=1) of patients had normal, 25% (n=10) insufficient and 72.5% (n=29) of patients had deficient 25(OH)D levels. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). In both groups 97.5% of patients had 25(OH)D levels below the normal range. Conclusion: Vitamin D levels in patients with AA were similar to those in the controls. This similarity may suggest that there is no relationship between vitamin D and AA. However, it may also indicate that the relationship between AA and Vitamin D is not via the level but vitamin D receptor (number and/or structure). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: Alopecia areata (AA) is a frequent type of acquired hair loss with a sudden onset. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of AA and diseases associated with AA in the Turkish pediatric population. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical data of patients under 16 years of age who were admitted to the pediatric dermatology outpatient clinic at Hacettepe University Hospital between 2006 and 2011 with a diagnosis of AA, alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU). Results: A total of 89 patients (34 females and 55 males), were included in this study. The mean age of the subjects was 9.8±3.4 years (range: 18 months-16 years). 9% (n=8) patients had other autoimmune diseases: Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 5, vitiligo in 1, juvenile rheumatoid arthiritis (JRA) in 1 and morphea in 1 patient. AA was located on the scalp in 86.5% (n=77) of the patients, 7.9% (n=7) of the patients had AA on the scalp together with eyelashes, eyebrows and the body. AT was noted in 1, AU was noted in 4 patients. Severity of hair loss was <25% in 94.3% (n=84) of the patients according to the involved area. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was diagnosed in 5 patients; these patients had normal thyroid function tests (TFT). TFT abnormalities were detected in 27% (n=24) of the patients. 24.7% (n=22) of these patients were diagnosed with clinically insignificant thyroid disorder, 2 patients had compansated hypothyroidism (n=2). Eight patients (9%) patients were found to be positive for anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (Anti-TPO ab). Antithyroglobulin antibody (Anti-TG Ab) elevation was noted in 3.3% (n=3) and antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity was noted in 9% (n=8). Nail changes were detected in 12.3% (n=11) of the patients as leukonychia (n=2), longitudinal striation (n=2), trachyonychia (n=1), onychoschizia (n=1) and pitting (n=1). Conclusion: Childhood AA usually causes limited hair loss. TFT anomalies can accompany AA without clinical symptoms. Therefore, investigation and regular follow-up of baseline TFT and anti-TPO Ab levels are suggested in patients with AA in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Dermatology / Turk Dermatoloji Dergisis is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hair loss often significant impact on quality of life, including loss of self-confidence and self-esteem. However, treatment of hair loss is frustrating for both patients and doctors. Mesotherapy and platelet-rich plasma have recently become advertised method for the treatment of different types of alopecia. The efficacy of these methods in hair loss is controversial in view of lack of documented evidence. It was reviewed the data about the efficacy, safety and treatment protocols of mesotherapy and platelet-rich plasma in patients with hair loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder which accounts for the most frequent cause of inflammation based hair loss among dermatological outpatient attendances. The impact of cosmetic problem due to alopecia areata includes prominent effects on the patient's quality of life and consequent development of psychological impairments in some of the cases. This review summarizes the essentials of pathogenesis, clinical properties, principles of management options and emphasizes the characteristic findings for differential diagnosis and future treatment concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Alopecia areata is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease characterized by sudden localised loss of scalp, beard, eyebrows or total body hairs. Alopecia areata is often associated with other autoimmune diseases such as atopy, autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo. There are few large sampled studies and case reports related to alopecia areata and celiac disease in the literature. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between alopecia areata and celiac disease. Material and Methods: The sample of the study was 103 alopecia areata patients diagnosed in the Ankara Numune Hospital, 1.Dermatology Clinic in between 1 June 2007-31 May 2008. The medical history of the patients, associated diseases and patient's family history were taken from all patients and they were evaluated dermatologically by means of total physical examination. Peripheral blood samples of the patients were also evaluated for anti-endomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies by ELISA. Results: Sixty six of the patients were male and 37 of the patients were female with a mean age of 28,92 ± 10.6. The results of the study show that patchy alopecia was seen in 97 of the patients, 3 of the patients had been diagnosed with alopecia universalis and 3 of them had been dignosed with ophiasis. The following diseases were identified among the participating patients: atopy (24 patients), vitiligo (2 patients), diabetes mellitus (1 patient), and systemic lupus erythematosus (1 patient). Moreover, 18 of the patients had displayed positive family history. None of the patients had anti-endomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies. Conclusion: In this study, no association could be found between alopecia areata and celiac disease .But when it is considered that the prevalance of the celiac disease in the population is between 0.6% and 1.15%, larger sampled studies are needed in order to confirm the association between the alopecia areata and celiac disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: Although alopecia areata is not yet clearly shown to be triggered by emotional stress, neuroendocrinologic studies supports that psychological stress may be effective in the disease process. In this study we aimed to show the role of stressful life events in onset and exacerbation of alopecia areata and the levels of anxiety, depression and quality of life by the comparison with the patients with androgenetic alopecia and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients with alopecia areata (13 females, 18 males, mean age 28.1±8.9) were included in this study. Forty-six patients with androgenetic alopecia (24 females, 22 males, mean age 28.2±7.4) and 45 healthy individuals (25 females, 20 males, mean age 25.4±4.4) was created as the two control groups. The patients and the control groups completed the tests including life events scale, Beck depression inventory, Beck anxiety inventory and Skindex-29 scales. Results: Total scores of the scale of life events in patients with alopecia areata were significantly higher than in healthy controls (p=0.031). There were also significant differences in the sub-units -distress and adaptation- scores of this scale (p=0.028; p=0.036). The scores of Beck depression inventory were significantly higher than control group (p=0.014), however they were identical to the patients' with androgenetic alopecia. The scores of Beck anxiety inventory of all three groups showed no significant difference (p=0,207). The quality of life in patients with alopecia areata which is evaluated with Skindex-29 is severely impaired according to the scores of all three sub-units of this test -symptomatic, functional, and emotional- (p=0.001; p<0.0005; p<0.0005). Conclusion: Stressful life events seems effective at onset or exacerbation of the disease in patients with alopecia areata. There is an increase in depressive symptoms in patients with alopecia areata. Morever, the quality of life of the patients are profoundly affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Dermatology / Turk Dermatoloji Dergisis is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Psychoneuroimmunology is a new discipline which searches dynamic relationship between mind, neuroendocrin system and immune system that is organized via neuropeptides and hormones. It aims to investigate and explain how mental and psychic factors affect immune system and ultimately general health. The skin is an organ which has a critical immune function, and also has cell populations to respond to both intrinsic and extrinsic stressors in a coordinated manner. Psychic stress creates an array of complex events involving the brain, nervous system and immune system in cutaneous diseases in which immun system cells and their functions are affected. It has been aimed to review how psychic stress influences the skin and which systems are driven and also which main dermatologic diseases are involved in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Dermatology / Turk Dermatoloji Dergisis is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To investigate the effects of topical pimecrolimus (1% cream), calcipotriol (0.05mg/1gm cream), pimecrolimus + calcipotriol and calcipotriol + betamethasone dipropionate (50 microgram calsipotriol + 0.5 mg betamethasone dipropionate) on hair re-growth in the treatment of alopecia areata and to determine whether there is a presence of superiority of any of these treatment methods. The study group was consisting of 36 patients with alopecia areata referred to our dermatology policlinic between September 2008 and November 2009. All were not previously treated. During the study, hair re-growth was evaluated clinically in 1., 3. and 6. months. For clinical evaluation the hair density was scored between 0-3. The classification was accepted as: 0- no hair is present, 1- light velluses are present, 2- distinctive velluses are present, 3- distinctive velluses and terminal hair are present, Erythema, pruritus and irritation as side effects were also scored between 0-3 as 0- not present, 1- light, 2- moderate and 3- severe. The side effects seen during the treatment were also recorded. In the statistical evaluation Kruskal-Wallis test was applied and SPSS 13 was used. In all analyses 0.05 was accepted as the level of significance. From the patients included in the study 50% (18) were male, 50%(18) were female, the patients ages' varied between 19-54 years old. When the effects of pimecrolimus, calcipotriol, pimecrolimus + calcipotriol and calcipotriol + betamethasone dipropionate on hair regrowth ratio in 1.,3. and 6. months were evaluated. A statistically significant difference was found after 3. and 6. months ( p<0.05). In the pimecrolimus + calcipotriol group, the hair re-growth ratio was statistically higher after 3. and 6. months. This group was followed by calcipotriol alone and calcipotriol + betamethasone dipropionate. When an evaluation according to erythema was made between 4 groups, it was found that erythema total score after 1. and 3. months was statistically higher in pimecrolimus + calcipotriol group. There was not a significant difference between the groups at the end of 6. months . When an evaluation according to pruritus was made between 4 groups, it was found that pruritus was statistically higher in calcipotriol applied group at the end of the first month, but there was not a significant difference between the groups at the end of 3. and 6. months. Although the pruritus score at the end of 6. months was not statistically important, it was found to be higher in pimecrolimus + calcipotriol group. When an evaluation according to irritation between 4 groups was made, it was found that there is a statistically important difference between all groups at the end of first, third and sixth months. Irritation score was found to be highest in pimecrolimus + calcipotriol group. We suggest that pimecrolimus + calcipotriol may be thought as the first option in the local treatment of alopecia areata. In our opinion, in order to enrich the treatment options of alopecia areata, there is a need of more comprehensive comparative studies with different treatment combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leflunomide is an immunomodulatory drug widely used in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis, especially in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The common side effects of leflunomide are hepatopathy, hypertension, various gastrointestinal complaints and transient hair loss, which are all mild and reversible. Although leflunomide is associated with transient hair loss, only one case of leflunomide-induced alopecia areata has been reported previously. In this case report, we present a 38-year-old male patient who suffered from alopecia areata after leflunomide therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: There are only a few studies showing the increased frequency of nuchal nevus flammeus (NNF) in patients with alopecia areata (AA) when compared to the healthy population. Due to the fact that there are no studies conducted in our country on this topic, we aimed at investigating the NNF frequency in AA cases and evaluating the association of NNF with disease duration and severity. Materials and Methods: A total of 156 patients (F/M: 59/97; age range: 3-59 years) diagnosed with alopecia areata and 200 healthy controls (F/M: 91/109; age range: 3-60 years) were enrolled in the study. The patients were evaluated for disease type, duration, severity, age of onset, nail findings, and family history. All subjects were dermatologically examined for NNF Results: NNF was diagnosed in 27 (17%) patients with alopecia areata and in 20 (10%) controls with a statistically significant difference (p=0.049). The frequency of NNF was significantly higher in patients with longer disease duration (p=0.024). Conclusion: These results conclude that NNF is more frequent in patients with alopecia areata and the presence of NNF might indicate a poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: Approximately 20% of alopecia areata (AA) cases are children. There is limited information about childhood AA. We aimed to examine demographic features, treatments and prognosis of children with AA followed in our clinic. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 110 AA patients 16 years of age or older. Data on age, gender, age at disease onset, duration of the disease, types of AA and onset area, nail involvement, accompanying systemic and dermatological diseases, laboratory tests, treatments and the prognosis, and follow-up period were evaluated. Results: 46.4% of subjects were female and 53.6% were male.The mean age was 10.35 years. The age at disease onset was 8.65 years. Primary onset areas of AA were: scalp in 83.6% of patients, - eyebrows - in 5.4%, - body hair - in 5.4%, - eyelashes - in 2.7%, and eyebrows and eyelashes in 2.7% of patients. Types of the disease were: AA in 73,4% cases, - alopecia totalis -in 19%, - alopecia universalis - in 5.4%, and ophiaisis in 1.8% of subjects. Nail involvement and nevus flammeus were observed in 36.3% and 27% of subjects, respectively. The mean disease duration was 17.02 months. The accompanying dermatoses were: vitiligo in 2.7% of cases and atopic dermatitis in 6.3% of cases. The accompanying systemic diseases were: autoimmüne thyroiditis and Down syndrome in in 1.8% and 2.7% of patients, respectively. Thyroid autoantibodies were found to be high in 0.9% of subjects. We have treated 24.5%of patients with topical corticosteroid lotion, - 30.9%- with anthralin, - 0.9%- with 2% minoxidil lotion, - 0.9%- with calcipotriol lotion, - 1.8%- with topical calcineurin inhibitors, and 10% of cases with intralesional corticosteroids. We have treated 15.4% of subjects, who were resistant to topical treatment, with systemic corticosteroids and PUVA therapy. 14.5% of patients received different combinations of topical treatments. Remission was observed in 34.5% of cases. The mean remission duration was 12.2 months. On average, two relapses occurred in 26.3% of subjects. Conclusion: We assume that our results will contribute to epidemiologic data on childhood AA in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Design: In this study, our aim was to determine clinical and demographical characteristics of patients with alopecia areata in our region. Materials and Methods: In the study, we evaluated 100 patients (44 female, 56 male; age range: 2-52 years) who applied to the outpatient clinic of Dicle Medical Faculty Dermatology Department between October and November 2009 and received the diagnosis of alopecia areata. Results: The male:female ratio was 1.2:1, the mean age was 19.19±10.93 years. Alopecia areata was present in 90 (90%) patients, alopecia totalis in 5 (5%), and alopecia universalis in 5 (5%) patients. The age of the disease onset was below the age of 20 years in 64% of patients. In 77.2% of patients, mild and in 22.8% of patients, severe scalp involvement was detected. There was no significant relationship of the severity of the disease in the scalp with gender and the disease onset period (p=0.62, p=0.22).Nail involvement was detected in 43%, mostly as pitting (39.5%) and longitudinal ridging (39.5%). No significant relationship was found between disease severity in the scalp and nail involvement (p=0.08). A family history was present in 22% of patients. There was no significant relationship of family history with the onset period of the disease and the disease severity in the scalp (p=0.13, p=0.07). Conclusion: Our results were found to be consistent with the clinical and demographic data obtained in previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]