Abstract
Nailfold capillaroscopic findings in alopecia areata patients: pilot results
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey
- Clinic of Dermatology, Kırklareli State Hospital, Kırklareli, Turkey
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.
>Keywords
alopecia areata, capillaroscopy, microvascular damage
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