title: Clinical characteristics and HLA alleles of a family with simultaneously occurring alopecia areata.
abstract: Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease resulting in partial or total noncicatricial hair loss. HLA class II antigens are the most important markers that constitute genetic predisposition to AA. Various life events and intense psychological stress may play an important role in triggering AA attacks. We report an unusual case series of 4 family members who had simultaneously occurring active AA lesions. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical and psychiatric features of 4 cases of active AA lesions occurring simultaneously in a family and determine HLA alleles. The clinical and psychological features of all patients were examined. HLA antigen DNA typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers. All patients had typical AA lesions over the scalp and/or beard area. Psychological examinations revealed obsessive-compulsive personality disorder in the proband's parents as well as anxiety and lack of self-confidence in both the proband and his sister. HLA antigen types were not commonly shared with family members. These findings suggest that AA presenting concurrently in members of the same family was not associated with genetic predisposition. Shared psychological disorders and stressful life events might be the major key points in the concurrent presentation of these familial AA cases and development of resistance against treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Emre
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Metin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caykoylu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gulsen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülay G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Ceylan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Aynure
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oztekin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Col
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003193:Compulsive Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015235:HLA-B Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007439:Introversion, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014820:Vitiligo
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015235:HLA-B Antigens; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D059866:HLA-DQ beta-Chains; C069051:HLA-DQB1 antigen; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D008914:Minoxidil