Evaluation of some biochemical markers in alopecia areata

Abstract

Background: It has recently evidenced that autoimmune diseases are associated with concurrent activation of inflammation, immune system, and coagulation. Given that alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease, there is a possibility that inflammation and coagulation processes may participate in the disease pathogenesis and could be associated with patients’ poor outcome. The aim of this work was to investigate the serum levels of some biochemical and hematological markers reflecting the inflammatory and coagulative status, as well as the thyroid functions in patients with AA. Patients and Methods: This study included 25 patients with AA and an equal number of matched healthy individuals. The study patients underwent laboratory investigations including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, D-dimer, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). ‎Results: Statistically significant lower MCH and platelets count, and higher WBCs count, ESR, CRP, D-dimer, and TSH were seen in patients with AA. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) revealed that all these markers were of predictive value of the disease occurrence. The CRP and D-dimer levels showed the best diagnostic performance with sensitivities of 92% for both, and specificities of 80% and 76%, respectively. Conclusion: This study supports the association between the coagulation system dysfunction, acute inflammatory state, and auto immune reactions in AA.