Is Helicobacter pylori infection associated with alopecia areata?

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is an immune-mediated form of hair loss that occurs in all ethnic groups, ages, and both sexes. Helicobacter pylori has been associated with certain extra-digestive dermatological conditions, including chronic urticaria, rosacea, Schönlein-Henoch purpura, Sweet syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and atopic dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE

The causal relation between alopecia areata and H. pylori is discussed. We have screened for the presence of H. pylori in patients with AA in order to determine any potential role in its pathophysiology.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We have prospectively studied 31 patients with AA and 24 healthy volunteers of similar gender for the presence of H. pylori surface antigen (HpSag) in stool.

RESULTS

Optical density values for H. pylori infection were positive in 18 of all 31 patients evaluated (58.1%), while in 13 patients, values did not support H. pylori infection (41.9%). While in the control group, 10 of 24 (41.7%) had positive results. Within the group of AA, there was no significant difference between HpSag-positive and HpSag-negative patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, the relation between H. pylori and AA is not supported. We advise that H. pylori detection should not be included in the laboratory workup of AA.