Vitamin D Levels and Trichoscopic Features in Alopecia Areata

According to a study published in Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, low vitamin D levels and specific trichoscopic patterns may predict disease activity in patients with alopecia areata (AA).

Researchers aimed to evaluate trichoscopic patterns and severity in patients with various clinical categories of AA while considering vitamin D levels. They also aimed to determine specific patterns of trichoscopy in AA related to vitamin D level in a study that included 59 patients and 60 healthy control individuals. The scores of patients with AA were clinically assessed using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT).

Vitamin D levels were higher in healthy control patients compared with patients with AA. Yellow dots were the most common trichoscopic findings, followed by black dots and broken hairs. Short vellus hairs and yellow dots were the most common in remitting AA and broken hairs, yellow dots, and tapering hairs were the most common in progressive disease.

“VDL [Vitamin D level] was significantly lower in severe AA and active progressive disease,” concluded the study authors. “Trichoscopic features could predict disease activity and VDL [vitamin D level] in patients with AA,” they added.

Reference
Alsenaid A, Al-Dhubaibi MS, Alhetheli G, AbdElneam AI, Al-Dhubaibi MS. Trichoscopy pattern and evaluation of serum vitamin D status in alopecia areata. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. Published March 20, 2023. doi:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103510