title: Decreased sweat-gland number and function in patients with alopecia areata.
abstract: In this study the number and function of sweat glands on the dorsum of the hand and foot were evaluated using a silastic imprint method. Twenty patients, 11 females and nine males with either alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, or alopecia universalis were included in the study. Patients showed a significant decrease in activated sweat-gland number and function compared to matched controls (P less than 0.001). There was no significant relationship between the degree of sweat-gland dysfunction and extent of hair loss, concurrent illnesses, or treatment. These findings suggest that eccrine sweat-gland function is compromised in patients with alopecia areata.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota Hospitals, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elieff
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sundby
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hordinsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010862:Pilocarpine; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D010862:Pilocarpine