Quality of life in mild and severe alopecia areata patients

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata is a relapsing hair disorder characterized by a sudden hairloss and has a considerable impact on patient’s quality of life. The goal of this study was to determine quality of life among patients with mild and severe forms of alopecia areata and compare the two groups. METHODS: During one year, 176 patients (96 mild, 80 severe) were selected and asked to complete Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaires. RESULTS: Our study revealed that the severe group was predominantly female and had higher amount of unemployment, more prolonged disease duration, unstable disease course and facial involvement. The mean DLQI scores in the severe and mild groups were 10.7 ± 7.5 and 5.4 ± 6.8, respectively which was significantly different and severe group had higher DLQI scores and more quality of life impairment. As well, there was a significant association between total DLQI scores and acute stress during last 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms that alopecia areata considerably impacts quality of life and this is more pronounced in patients with severe disease and those who had acute stress recently.