OBJECTIVES: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that has been associated with a negative impact on quality of life (QoL) and increased prevalence of anxiety and depression. This analysis aimed to describe the burden of AA according to physician-rated current severity using EQ-5D.

METHODS: In October 2021, an online survey began in the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Dermatologists actively treating patients with AA were recruited. They completed questionnaires for 7 consecutive adult patients with mild, moderate, and severe AA. Current disease severity was rated based on physician clinical judgement. Data on patient demographics were collected. Patients were invited to complete a paper self-completion form (PSC): including EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and visual analogue scale (VAS) (range, 0 [worst] to 100 [best] imaginable state of health). An index value was derived from the EQ-5D-5L (range, 0 [worst health] to 1 [best health]). Health state indices were derived from country-specific value sets. Data from patients who completed a PSC are reported using an interim sample (March 7, 2022).

RESULTS: A total of 532 patients with AA were included (mild n=91 moderate n=267; severe n=174). Overall, 56.0% were males and mean age was 34.3 years (±standard deviation [SD] 10.72; range 18 to 72). Patients with mild, moderate, and severe AA reported a mean±SD EQ-5D value of 0.90±0.10, 0.85±0.14 and 0.78±0.17 (UK value set), respectively. Results from the EQ-5D anxiety/depression dimension showed that 67.0% of patients with severe AA reported feeling anxious and/or depressed on the day of their completion compared with 44.0% and 49.0% of patients with mild and moderate AA, respectively. Patients with mild, moderate, and severe AA reported a mean±SD VAS score of 82.2±13.38, 74.3±14.89 and 68.0±19.73, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe AA reported lower QoL and higher anxiety and/or depression than patients with mild and moderate AA, as measured by EQ-5D.