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. 2024 Dec;36(6):376-383.
doi: 10.5021/ad.24.033.

Survey on Alopecia Areata Patients' Reported Factors that Determine Severity of Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Multicenter Study

Jung Eun Kim  1 , Subin Lee  1 , Hoon Kang  1 , Young Lee  2 , Do-Young Kim  3 , Hyunsun Park  4 , Hyun-Tae Shin  5 , Yong Hyun Jang  6 , Kihyuk Shin  7 , Ji Hae Lee  8 , Jee Woong Choi  9 , Byung Choel Park  10 , Beom Joon Kim  11 , Soo Hong Seo  12 , Chong Hyun Won  13 , Jin Park  14 , Min Sung Kim  15 , Sang Seok Kim  16 , Bark-Lynn Lew  17 , Chang-Hun Huh  18 , Ohsang Kwon  19 , Yang Won Lee  20 , Moon-Bum Kim  21 ; Korean Hair Research Society
Affiliations

Survey on Alopecia Areata Patients' Reported Factors that Determine Severity of Alopecia Areata: A Nationwide Multicenter Study

Jung Eun Kim et al. Ann Dermatol. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by hair loss on the scalp and body, significantly impacting patients' quality of life based on its severity.

Objective: This study aims to identify crucial factors influencing the perception of severe AA from the patients' viewpoint.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among AA patients attending dermatology departments at 21 university hospitals in Korea. The survey comprised 17 criteria, exploring both clinical characteristics of AA patients and subjective determinants of disease severity.

Results: A total of 791 AA patients and their caregivers participated in the survey. Approximately 30% of respondents developed AA during childhood, with 43.5% experiencing chronic courses lasting over 3 years. Half of the participants exhibited more than 20% scalp hair loss, and 42% reported additional hair loss on other body parts, such as eyelashes and nose hair. Most respondents agreed that patients with ≥20% scalp hair loss should be categorized as having severe AA. They also identified longer disease duration, involvement of non-scalp body hair, treatment refractoriness, and social or mental impairment requiring medical intervention as factors indicating increased disease severity.

Conclusion: This survey underscores the significant impact of AA on patients' quality of life and highlights existing unmet needs in current treatment modalities.

Keywords: Alopecia areata; Needs Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Clinical characteristics.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Amount of scalp hair regrowth that alopecia areata patients consider as poor response after 6 months of treatment.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Extent of scalp hair loss (%) that alopecia areata patients consider severe.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Duration of hair loss patch (years) that alopecia areata patients consider severe.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5. Other patient-reported factors associated with AA severity and their level of agreement.
AA: alopecia areata.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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