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Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Patients With Alopecia Areata
According to a study published in Dermatology and Therapy, alopecia areata may be associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).
Researchers aimed to assess the risk of VTE in patients with alopecia areata, a condition linked to chronic systemic inflammation. VTE is a serious condition involving the formation of blood clots in the veins, which can potentially lead to life-threatening complications if not diagnosed and treated promptly. The research involved 51 patients with alopecia areata (35 women and 16 men, with a mean age of 38 years) and 26 healthy controls (18 women and 8 men, with a mean age of 37 years). To evaluate VTE risk, the scientists measured the serum concentrations of 3 markers associated with thromboembolism: soluble fibrin monomer complex (SFMC), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TATC), and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.
The results revealed that patients with alopecia areata had significantly higher levels of SFMC and F1 + 2 compared to the healthy control group. These elevated levels suggest a potential association between alopecia areata and an increased risk of VTE. Interestingly, the study did not find any significant correlation between the severity of alopecia (assessed using the Severity of Alopecia Tool - SALT score), disease duration, or the number of hair loss episodes with SFMC or F1 + 2 levels. This indicates that VTE risk in alopecia areata may not be directly related to the severity or duration of the hair loss condition.
“Regular screening and preventive management of venous thromboembolism may be beneficial in patients with alopecia areata, especially before and during systemic Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors or glucocorticoid therapy,” the authors concluded.
Reference
Waśkiel-Burnat A, Rakowska A, Zaremba M, et al. Markers of venous thromboembolism risk in patients with alopecia areata: Is there anything to worry about?. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). Published online ahead of print July 9, 2023;10.1007/s13555-023-00971-7. doi:10.1007/s13555-023-00971-7
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