ASSOCIATION OF ALOPECIA AREATA WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES – A CLINICAL STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common cause of non-cicatricial alopecia that occurs as a patchy, conuent, or diffuse pattern. Autoimmune etiology is proposed due to its association with other autoimmune diseases. The aim of the current study is to determine the association of alopecia areata with autoimmunity.The current study includes 80 patients of Alopecia areata. The patchy type was most common and thyroid disorders were the most common association followed by diabetes mellitus and vitiligo. Among the thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism was the most frequent association. As the association is statistically signicant, it is important to screen alopecia areata patients for thyroid disorders.