Alopecia areata and coeliac disease: no effect of a gluten-free diet on hair growth.
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.
Bardella
M T
MT
Istituto di Scienze Mediche, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Università di Milano, Italia. mariateresa.bardella@unimi.it
Marino
R
R
Barbareschi
M
M
Bianchi
F
F
Faglia
G
G
Bianchi
P
P
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
D005983:Glutens