Introduction:

Numerous studies indicate that alopecia areata is associated with systemic inflammation with an increased serum level of proinflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have indicated a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases in patients with alopecia areata.

Objective:

To evaluate the cardiovascular risk calculated with various scoring systems in patients with alopecia areata compared to the controls.

Material and methods:

In the present study, the cardiovascular risk was evaluated in 91 patients with alopecia areata and 47 controls with the use of QRESEARCH risk estimator version 3 (QRISK-3), Framingham Risk score – Coronary heart disease (FRS-CHD), Framingham Risk Score – Cardiovascular disease (FRS-CVD), Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk Estimator Plus and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk charts.

Results:

An increased median QRISK-3 was observed in patients with alopecia areata compared to controls (1.2 [0.5–5.5] vs. 0.9 [0.2–3.2]; p < 0.05). Moreover, higher median FRS-CHD, FRS-CVD, ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus scores were detected in patients with alopecia areata compared to control subjects (4.5 (2.4–9) vs. 3.35 (1.5–6.7); 0.85 (0.1–2.4) vs. 0.45 (0.1–1) and 2.5 (0.7–8.2) vs. 1.9 (0.8–4.3), respectively). However, those differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In patients with alopecia areata, a positive correlation was observed between QRISK-3 and the age of the patient, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides.

Conclusions:

Alopecia areata is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Regular cardiovascular screening should be recommended to every patient with alopecia areata.