Carotid Intima Media Thickness Measurement in Alopecia Areata Patients

Abstract

BackgroundAlopecia areata (AA) is a cell-mediated, tissue-specific autoimmune disease. While AA primarily affects hair follicles, it has also been associated with various comorbidities due to immune dysregulation. Several studies have investigated cardiovascular risk in AA; however, no research has specifically assessed carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in AA patients. This study aims to evaluate the potential increase in atherosclerosis risk among AA patients by measuring CIMT and other associated risk factors.MethodsA total of 61 patients with AA and 61 healthy controls were included. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking history, and biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and fasting blood glucose levels, were recorded. CIMT was measured bilaterally using ultrasound at three adjacent sites, 10 mm proximal to the carotid bifurcation, with 5 mm intervals. The average of three measurements was used for analysis.ResultsCIMT measurements did not show a significant difference between the two groups. However, the smoking rate, fasting blood glucose levels, and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the AA group compared to the healthy controls.ConclusionsCIMT, an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis, was not increased in AA patients. However, the higher diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose levels in the AA group suggest a potential cardiovascular risk that warrants further investigation.