Estimation Of Serum Zinc Levels In 40 Clinically Confirmed Cases Of Alopecia Areata Patients In Comparison With Equal Number Of Gender And Age Matched Controls-A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and objectives ABSTRACT Alopecia areata is an unpredictable, usually patchy, nonscarring hair loss condition. Any hair-bearing surface may be affected. Iron and zinc are the well- known trace elements that are associated with hair shedding. Objectives of this study were to assess serum zinc levels of clinically confirmed cases of Alopecia Areata in comparison with equal number of gender and age matched controls and to compare the relation of these values with demographic data. Methodology This one year cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre attached to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum during the period of January 2011 to December 2011. The study comprised of 40 patients with alopecia areata and equal number of age and gender matched healthy controls. Serum immunoturbidometry method was the method used for estimation of serum zinc levels. Results In the present study among cases 65% were males and 35% were females with male to female ratio of 1.85:1. 42.5% of patients with alopecia areata were aged between 19 to 30 years with the mean age of 26.85±11.99 years. 97.50% patients presented with patchy and 2.50% with generalized alopecia areata with most commonest site being scalp in 70%. Most ( 72.5% ) of patients had single patch of alopecia aereata. All the patients had asymptomatic alopecia areata III ( 100% ) . However, one patient ( 2.5% ) had nail changes associated with alopecia areata. The serum zinc levels were found to be normal in healthy controls as well as patients with alopecia areata. The mean serum zinc levels among those with alopecia areata were slightly high ( 103.21±10.17 mg/dL ) compared to healthy controls ( 98.60±22.51 mg/dL ) and this difference was statistically not significant. Conclusion The results of the present study showed no significant relation between serum zinc levels and AA.