Characteristics of telogen effluvium in COVID-19 in western Iran (2020)

Khaled Babaei,Hossein Kavoussi,Mansour Rezaei,Reza Kavoussi

doi:10.1016/j.abd.2021.05.006

Khaled Babaei, Hossein Kavoussi + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abd.2021.05.006

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Abstract

BackgroundAlthough COVID-19 pandemic significantly induces mortality, many of the patients who recovered present other medical problems such as alopecias. Telogen effluvium is a common alopecia that is usually related to previous events such as acute febrile diseases, including COVID-19. ObjectiveTo evaluate the characteristics of telogen effluvium in COVID-19. MethodThis cross-sectional study was carried out on 526 patients with documented telogen effluvium that recovered from COVID-19. Demographic data, concurrent alopecia, associated diseases, and COVID-19 severity were recorded. Data were analyzed by appropriate statistical methods. ResultsThe mean age of the 526 patients (410 females, 116 males) was 30.97 ± 9.592 years, with 7.65 ± 1.739 weeks of mean time of alopecia onset. Vitamin D deficiency (24.3%), androgenetic alopecia (78.2%), and grade III COVID-19 severity were the most common findings. Alopecia onset was significantly earlier in the younger age group, females, in hypothyroidism, and more severe coronavirus infection. Higher grade coronavirus infection was significantly seen in males, higher ages, earlier onset, and androgenic alopecia. Study limitationsPerforming a single-center study and considering limited variables. ConclusionAlthough Coronavirus 2 infection can be an important factor in telogen effluvium induction, other factors such as associated diseases, drug intake and emotional stress may also be involved. In the cases of early onset of alopecia, concomitant diseases such as hypothyroidism and severe coronavirus infection can occur, thus, the presence of various factors in telogen effluvium induction should be considered.

Highlights

In late 2019, a coronavirus, i.e., Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19)
COVID-19 is usually associated with mild to severe respiratory diseases in the acute phase, some patients who recover from COVID-19 complain of dermatologic signs and symptoms such as Hair Loss (HL) several weeks after recovery from the disease.3---6
In COVID-19 disease, in addition to the acute febrile disease, other factors such as emotional stress, intake of some drugs, hospitalization, associated diseases, nutritional problems, weight loss, and other factors may be involved in the induced the disease.3---6Telogen Effluvium (TE)

Summary

Introduction

In late 2019, a coronavirus, i.e., Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). This disease created public health crises worldwide, causing an ongoing pandemic in most countries with 3%---4% mortality rate.[1,2]. Telogen Effluvium (TE) is a common HL form in which many factors are involved. Acute fever illnesses such as viral infections, including COVID-19, are occasionally involved in the pathogenesis of TE.6---11. In COVID-19 disease, in addition to the acute febrile disease, other factors such as emotional stress, intake of some drugs, hospitalization, associated diseases, nutritional problems, weight loss, and other factors may be involved in the induced TE

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