Serum Cytokine Levels and Anxiety and Depression Rates in Patients with Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Objective: Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease characterized by patchy hair loss. Although the etiopathogenesis of AA is still unclear, it has been hypothesized that immune system dysfunction and stress are involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible associations between AA and depression, anxiety and serum levels of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10. Materials and Methods:Forty-three patients who were diagnosed with AA were prospectively enrolled into the study. Thirty age-and sex-matched healthy individuals were included as the control group. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety were used. For children between the ages of 7 and 16, the Children's Depression Inventories was completed. Serum levels of the cytokines IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were analyzed by ELISA.Results: No significant differences were observed between patients and controls with respect to serum cytokine levels (p>0.05). Depression rates were found to be 50% and 30% in AA patients and controls, respectively (p<0.05). Similarly, anxiety rates were found to be 63% and 23.3% in AA patients and controls, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion:Depression and anxiety were found more frequent in AA patients than healthy individuals. Therefore, when considering management therapy, an entire psychiatric evaluation should also be performed. However, no differences were found in serum cytokine levels of patients and controls.

Perceived Stress, Optimism and Social Appearance Anxiety in Patients with Skin Diseases: A Comparative Study

“…The findings are further supported by several other studies which have indicated an increased prevalence of psychological distress among people with AA (Ataseven et al 2011;Koo et al 1994). Koo et al (1994) suggested that people with AA may be at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety or other disorders such as social phobia or paranoid disorder.…”

The Relationship of Treatment Modality in Alopecia Areata with Life Quality, Anxiety, and Depression

“…De ep pr re es sy yo on n: : Literatürde AA ile depresyon, anksiyete, obsesif-kompulsif bozukluk, sosyal fobi ve paranoid bozukluk gibi bazı psikiyatrik hastalıkların birlikteliğini bildiren araştırmalar bulunmaktadır. 28,29,[33][34][35][36][68][69][70][71][72][73][74] Bununla birlikte bazı araştırmalarda da AA ile psikolojik faktörler arasında belirgin bir ilişki bulunmadığı rapor edilmiştir. 30,75 Cemal BİLAÇ ve ark.…”

“…77 Farklı araştırmalarda AA hastalarında anksiyete görülme oranının %13,7-63 arasında olduğu saptanmıştır. 34,35,74,76,78 Bununla birlikte literatürde AA hastalarında, kontrol grubuna göre anksiyete skorlarının anlamlı farklılık göstermediğini rapor eden az sayıda araştırma bulunmaktadır. 30,75 Biz de HAD ölçeği ile yaptığımız değerlendirmede hastaların %36,1'inin anksiyete açısından risk grubunda yer aldığını saptadık.…”

“…66 Depresyon: AA hastalarında depresyon görülme oranları literatürde %8,8-50 olarak bildirilmiştir. 34,35,74,76,78 HAD ölçeği ile yaptığımız değerlendirmede hastaların %50,0'sinin depresyon için risk grubunda bulunduğunu saptadık. Bununla birlikte Güleç ve ark.…”

Relación Médico-Paciente en La Consulta De Dermatología

“…Los problemas sociales y familiares y eventos vitales estresantes tienen más influencia en estos pacientes que en la sociedad normal [5], y la mayoría de ellos experimentan problemas psicológicos a largo plazo, tales como la depresión, ansiedad y trastornos paranoides [6][7][8][9]. Además, los estudios han demostrado que la baja calidad de vida de estos pacientes tiene una relación significativa con la depresión [10].…”