GLOBAL PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF ALOPECIA AREATA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Author(s)
Celina Migliavaca, BSc1, Sineida Ferreira, MD2, Gabrielle N. Escher, Ms1, Fernanda Mambrini Só e Silva, BSc1, Inae Valerio, PhD1, Camilla Gaspari, MD3, Ashley S. Cha-Silva, PharmD, MSc4, Maicon Falavigna, MD, PhD1, Daniela Pachito, MD, PhD3;
1Inova Medical, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2Centro Paranaense de Estudos em Dermatologia, Maringa, Brazil, 3Pfizer Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 4Pfizer Inc., Trumbull, CT, USA
1Inova Medical, Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2Centro Paranaense de Estudos em Dermatologia, Maringa, Brazil, 3Pfizer Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 4Pfizer Inc., Trumbull, CT, USA
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the point prevalence of alopecia areata (AA) and the proportion of cases by type of disease presentation.
METHODS: Systematic review conducted according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) following the protocol prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023491763). Electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and Global Index Medicus in January 2025. Screening of titles and abstracts and appraisal of full texts were performed by two independent reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by consensus or a third reviewer. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted in R using a logistic regression model, with logit transformation of proportions. Results were presented as mean point prevalence or proportion with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
RESULTS: Electronic searches retrieved 2,503 references, with 237 studies included. Prevalence of AA among the general population was 0.26% (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.15-0.44). Among children and adolescents (< 18 years), the prevalence was 0.09% (95% CI: 0.07-0.13), while in adults (≥ 18 years) it was 0.45% (95% CI: 0.21-0.98). Prevalence among women was 1.47% (95% CI: 0.32-6.49) and among men it was 0.51% (95% CI: 0.03-7.45). S1 category represented 47.23% (95% CI: 36.67-58.05) of cases, while S2 category was observed in 16.66% (95% CI: 13.57-20.29), S3 in 8.88% (95% CI: 7.06-11.11), S4 in 6.77% (95% CI: 4.40-10.30), and S5 in 13.65% (95% CI: 9.69-18.89). The most frequent subtype was hair loss in patches, affecting 73.66% (95% CI: 68.50-78.25) of individuals. Ophiasis was observed in 5.59% (95% CI: 4.07-7.63), sisaifo in 2.23% (95% CI: 1.13-4.37), totalis in 7.1% (95% CI: 5.36-9.35), and universalis in 9.17% (95% CI: 7.23-12.92) of cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the epidemiological aspects and clinical presentation of AA is important for determining the burden of the disease. The results of this systematic review may inform economic evaluations, supporting the design and implementation of public policies.
METHODS: Systematic review conducted according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) following the protocol prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023491763). Electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and Global Index Medicus in January 2025. Screening of titles and abstracts and appraisal of full texts were performed by two independent reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by consensus or a third reviewer. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted in R using a logistic regression model, with logit transformation of proportions. Results were presented as mean point prevalence or proportion with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).
RESULTS: Electronic searches retrieved 2,503 references, with 237 studies included. Prevalence of AA among the general population was 0.26% (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.15-0.44). Among children and adolescents (< 18 years), the prevalence was 0.09% (95% CI: 0.07-0.13), while in adults (≥ 18 years) it was 0.45% (95% CI: 0.21-0.98). Prevalence among women was 1.47% (95% CI: 0.32-6.49) and among men it was 0.51% (95% CI: 0.03-7.45). S1 category represented 47.23% (95% CI: 36.67-58.05) of cases, while S2 category was observed in 16.66% (95% CI: 13.57-20.29), S3 in 8.88% (95% CI: 7.06-11.11), S4 in 6.77% (95% CI: 4.40-10.30), and S5 in 13.65% (95% CI: 9.69-18.89). The most frequent subtype was hair loss in patches, affecting 73.66% (95% CI: 68.50-78.25) of individuals. Ophiasis was observed in 5.59% (95% CI: 4.07-7.63), sisaifo in 2.23% (95% CI: 1.13-4.37), totalis in 7.1% (95% CI: 5.36-9.35), and universalis in 9.17% (95% CI: 7.23-12.92) of cases.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the epidemiological aspects and clinical presentation of AA is important for determining the burden of the disease. The results of this systematic review may inform economic evaluations, supporting the design and implementation of public policies.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EPH81
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Disease
SDC: Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin), SDC: Systemic Disorders/Conditions (Anesthesia, Auto-Immune Disorders (n.e.c.), Hematological Disorders (non-oncologic), Pain)