Nailfold capillaroscopic findings in alopecia areata patients: pilot results

Introduction
Despite the unclear pathogenesis of alopecia areata, microvascular disorders in alopecia areata whose pathogenesis has not been clearly established yet are also thought to play a role.

Aim
This study aims to evaluate microcirculatory changes in patients with alopecia areata using nailfold capillaroscopy.

Material and methods
The study included a patient group of 47 individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata and a control group of 50 individuals without inflammatory diseases. Capillaroscopic evaluations were performed using a Dino-Lite Edge (P/N: AM7515MZT, Taiwan) digital capillaroscopy device, with both hands’ second to fifth fingernail folds/nail folds of the 2nd–5th fingers on both hands examined at ×200 magnification.

Results
The mean age was 32.4 ±10 years in the patient group and 33 ±8.8 years in the control group. The mean capillary density was significantly higher in the patient group (8.27 ±0.77 capillary/mm) compared to the control group (9.01 ±0.98 capillary/mm) (p < 0.001). Similarly, the capillary density score was higher in the patient group (0.89 ±0.25) compared to the control group (0.57 ±0.37) (p < 0.001). Avascular areas were found in 3 (6%) patients in the patient group. Neovascularization was detected in 8 (17%) patients in the patient group, whereas it was not detected in any individuals in the control group (p = 0.002).

Conclusions
The findings of our study suggest a possible association between alopecia areata and microcirculatory alterations.