Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common form of non-scarring hair loss with prevalence of about 2.1% seen in both genders. The present study was conducted to determine pattern of psychiatric disorders in patients with Alopecia Areata. Materials & Methods: 94 patients of Alopecia Areata of both genders were enrolled. Factors such as age at onset, duration, form and number of episodes of AA in patients was recorded. Results: Out of 94 patients, males were 40 and females were 54. The mean age of onset of patients was 16.3 years, duration of AA was 12.1 years, number of episodes found to be single in 34 and multiple in 60 patients. 50 had patchy form, 24 had totalis and 20 had universalis. The psychiatric disorders in patients were alcohol or drug abuse in 45%, bulimia in 32%, obsessive-compulsive disorder in 12%, major depression in 14%, generalized anxiety disorder in 10%, psychosexual dysfunction in 4%, post-traumatic stress disorder in 7%, tobacco use disorder in 10%, panic disorder in 13%, dysthymic disorder in 7%, bipolar disorder in 3%, phobic disorder in 1%. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Alopecia areata patients had high incidence psychiatric disorders.