Stress and alopecia areata: a psychodermatologic study.
Psychosocial stress has been reported to play a role in the onset and/or exacerbation of alopecia areata. Little is known about the clinical characteristics of alopecia areata patients whose alopecia is stress-reactive. We examined the relation between the stress reactivity of alopecia areata and a wide range of psychosocial measures among 16 patients with alopecia areata/totalis and 28 patients with alopecia universalis. The degree to which the alopecia was exacerbated by stress was measured by patient ratings on a 10-point scale. A wide range of psychologic measures correlated (p<0.05) with the stress reactivity score. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with higher depression scores were more likely to be in the high-stress reactor group. Patients whose alopecia is stress-reactive may suffer from depressive illness, a potentially important consideration in the overall management of such patients.
Gupta
M A
MA
Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Gupta
A K
AK
Watteel
G N
GN
D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010556:Personality Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*