Publication:

Metabolic syndrome in alopecia areata: an observational study at a tertiary care center

Background The aim was to evaluate the parameters of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients of alopecia areata and to investigate the possibility of an existing relationship between MS and alopecia areata (AA).

Methods This cross-sectional observational study included 50 patients with AA who attended OPD of department of dermatology at a tertiary care center during a period of 1 year. Clinical and laboratory parameters were noted in each patient.

Results This study included 50 patients with AA (33 males and 17 females). In the present study maximum number of patients belonged to the age group 20-30 years with 23 patients, followed by 30-40 years with 17  patients. Most of the study subjects, 17 were college students and number of employees were 15. Out of 50 patients 44  had patch(es) and 2 patient had alopecia totalis. In this study out of 50 patients, 38 had mild AA, 7 had AA and 5 patients had severe AA. No significant derangement of clinical and laboratory parameters of MS observed in patients of AA.

Conclusions In the present study we did not observe any significant derangement of clinical and laboratory parameters of  MS  in patients of alopecia areata.