Psychological Impact of Alopecia Areata

Introduction. Alopecia areata is one of the commonest causes of nonscarring alopecia. Since hair is a vital part with very high cosmetic concern, hair loss might have a significant negative impact on patient’s life. Hence, we aimed this to investigate depression and anxiety in patients with alopecia...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Suchana Marahatta, Sudha Agrawal, Baikuntha Raj Adhikari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Dermatology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8879343
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832554091395416064
author Suchana Marahatta
Sudha Agrawal
Baikuntha Raj Adhikari
author_facet Suchana Marahatta
Sudha Agrawal
Baikuntha Raj Adhikari
author_sort Suchana Marahatta
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Alopecia areata is one of the commonest causes of nonscarring alopecia. Since hair is a vital part with very high cosmetic concern, hair loss might have a significant negative impact on patient’s life. Hence, we aimed this to investigate depression and anxiety in patients with alopecia areata. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 75 consecutive eligible patients of alopecia areata were interviewed over one-year period in the dermatology outpatient department. We recorded the relevant history and examination details in the present proforma. Nepali versions of Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used for the assessment of depression and anxiety, respectively. Data analysis was done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11.5. Results. Among 75 patients, the prevalence of depression and anxiety were 66.7% and 73.3%, respectively, with median depression score = 5 (IQR = 0.0–10.0) and median anxiety score = 5 (IQR = 0.0–11.0). Out of all depressed patients, 82.0% had minimal and 18.0% had moderate depression. However, none of them had severe depression. Likewise, out of all patients with anxiety, 89.0% had mild and 11.0% had moderate anxiety, but none of them had severe anxiety. Conclusion. Anxiety and depression are common psychological problems in patients with alopecia areata. Because of their direct impact on treatment outcome, we, treating dermatologist, must be aware of them, and we should counsel our patients for consultation with the psychiatrist on time for their maximum benefit.
format Article
id doaj-art-73e023b3cd5847278292ac1377261516
institution Kabale University
issn 1687-6105
1687-6113
language English
publishDate 2020-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Dermatology Research and Practice
spelling doaj-art-73e023b3cd5847278292ac13772615162025-02-03T05:52:26ZengWileyDermatology Research and Practice1687-61051687-61132020-01-01202010.1155/2020/88793438879343Psychological Impact of Alopecia AreataSuchana Marahatta0Sudha Agrawal1Baikuntha Raj Adhikari2Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Psychiatry, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, NepalDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Psychiatry, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, NepalDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Psychiatry, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, NepalIntroduction. Alopecia areata is one of the commonest causes of nonscarring alopecia. Since hair is a vital part with very high cosmetic concern, hair loss might have a significant negative impact on patient’s life. Hence, we aimed this to investigate depression and anxiety in patients with alopecia areata. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 75 consecutive eligible patients of alopecia areata were interviewed over one-year period in the dermatology outpatient department. We recorded the relevant history and examination details in the present proforma. Nepali versions of Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used for the assessment of depression and anxiety, respectively. Data analysis was done with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11.5. Results. Among 75 patients, the prevalence of depression and anxiety were 66.7% and 73.3%, respectively, with median depression score = 5 (IQR = 0.0–10.0) and median anxiety score = 5 (IQR = 0.0–11.0). Out of all depressed patients, 82.0% had minimal and 18.0% had moderate depression. However, none of them had severe depression. Likewise, out of all patients with anxiety, 89.0% had mild and 11.0% had moderate anxiety, but none of them had severe anxiety. Conclusion. Anxiety and depression are common psychological problems in patients with alopecia areata. Because of their direct impact on treatment outcome, we, treating dermatologist, must be aware of them, and we should counsel our patients for consultation with the psychiatrist on time for their maximum benefit.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8879343
spellingShingle Suchana Marahatta
Sudha Agrawal
Baikuntha Raj Adhikari
Psychological Impact of Alopecia Areata
Dermatology Research and Practice
title Psychological Impact of Alopecia Areata
title_full Psychological Impact of Alopecia Areata
title_fullStr Psychological Impact of Alopecia Areata
title_full_unstemmed Psychological Impact of Alopecia Areata
title_short Psychological Impact of Alopecia Areata
title_sort psychological impact of alopecia areata
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8879343
work_keys_str_mv AT suchanamarahatta psychologicalimpactofalopeciaareata
AT sudhaagrawal psychologicalimpactofalopeciaareata
AT baikuntharajadhikari psychologicalimpactofalopeciaareata