Quality of Life of Alopecia Areata Patients

Back, Seung Ju; Park, Young Ok; Kim, Kae Jeung; Kim, Chang Deok; Seo, Young Joon; Lee, Jeung Hoon; Park, Jang Kyu

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hair constitutes an integral part of our self and our self-identity, which is why hair loss may cause a broad range of psychological problems related to our identity. However, the association between quality of life (QOL) in alopecia areata (AA) patients and their clinical characteristics has not yet been investigated in Korea.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to compare the QOL in patients with AA and healthy controls by using Hairdex scale. The relationship between their QOL and their clinical characteristics will be investigated.
METHODS
102 AA patients and 82 healthy controls were recruited in this study and compared by use of Hairdex. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between the QOL and the clinical characteristics of patients with AA.
RESULTS
The total Hairdex scores and all domain scores, except those of the symptomatic domain, of the Hairdex scales in AA were higher than those of the healthy controls. Clinical characteristics, including the age, disease duration, AA type, AA area, treatment satisfaction, treatment history, anxiety and depression, showed significant correlation with QOL. Of these characteristics, the depression and treatment satisfaction showed strong association with QOL.
CONCLUSION
AA can a impair patient's quality of life and has a significant psychological impact.