Results of blood cells counting, fasting blood suture, rheumatoid factor, C reactive protein, antinuclear antibodies and thyroid function tests in patients with Alopecia areata

Abstract

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a disease with local hair loss that may be associated with other autoimmune diseases including thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia, systemic lupus eiythematous, etc. This study aimed at evaluating the results of some serum laboratoiy tests related to autoimmune disorders in patients with AA. In a descriptive-analytical study, 58 patients with AA were evaluated in Tabriz Sina Hospital during a 36-month period. Serum laboratoiy results (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count, C-reactive protein, hematocrit, eiythrocyte sedimentation rate, hemoglobin, fasting blood sugar), thyroid tests (TSH, free T4 and T3), as well as serum antinuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor were measured. Thirty three males and twenty five females with the mean age of 30.1 آ±13.4 years were enrolled. Previous histoiy of vitiligo and atopy was positive in 1.7 and 10.3% of the studied population, respectively. Laboratoiy findings indicative of thyroid dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, anemia, positive ANA and positive rheumatoid factor were detected in 8.6, 6.9, 8.6, 22.4 and 15.5% of the patients, respectively. Comparing with normal population, some underlying autoimmune disorders may be present in patients with AA, especially thyroid dysfunction. Therefore, screening tests might be simple and beneficial.