title: Alopecia areata and coeliac disease: no effect of a gluten-free diet on hair growth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An association between alopecia areata (AA) and coeliac disease has recently been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper was to evaluate the possible effect of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on the new growth of hair in 5 alopecic patients with CD.
  
  
  METHODS
  CD was diagnosed in 5 patients with AA (universalis in 3 cases and patchy in 2 cases). The diagnosis of CD was based on serological and histological standard criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all patients the GFD resolved CD clinically, serologically and histologically but had no effect on the course of alopecia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AA and CD, when associated, present different responses to a GFD and have an independent course.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze Mediche, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Università di Milano, Italia. mariateresa.bardella@unimi.it
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Bardella
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbareschi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faglia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D005260:Female; D005983:Glutens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005983:Glutens