Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.
Br J Dermatol. 2024 Feb 16;190(3):374-381. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljad381.
Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic, immune-mediated disease characterized by acute-onset hair loss. The hair loss can range from small, circumscribed hairless areas on the scalp to complete loss of hair on the head and body hair. However, data on the epidemiology of AA are limited. Current evaluations are lacking in Germany. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and comorbidity of AA in Germany based on claims data.
A representative 40% sample of all adults who were insured with a German statutory health insurance company (DAK-Gesundheit) between 2016 and 2020 was evaluated (n = 2.88 million). Based on at least one relevant outpatient or inpatient diagnosis of International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 L63, the annual AA prevalence and incidence (ICD-10 L63) were calculated for 2016 to 2020. Different case definitions were used for diagnosis validation. In addition, the occurrence of comorbidities in patients with AA was investigated.
In 2020, AA prevalence was 210 cases per 100 000 and incidence 72 cases per 100 000. Compared with persons without AA, those with AA significantly more often had atopic dermatitis [rate ratio (RR) 2.9], pruritus (RR 2.7), lupus erythematosus (RR 2.4), urticaria (RR 2.3) and psoriasis (RR 2.2). Women were affected slightly more often than men (0.2% vs. 0.1%). On a regional level, higher prevalence and incidence rates were found in Brandenburg (prevalence 332 cases per 100 000; incidence 116 cases per 100 000), Hesse (prevalence 344 cases per 100 000; incidence 124 cases per 100 000) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (prevalence 303 cases per 100 000; incidence 111 per 100 000).
AA is a common immune-mediated skin condition with marked regional variations in Germany. For a complete understanding of epidemiology, complementary population-based studies including clinical characteristics of AA are useful.
斑秃（AA）是一种以急性发作性脱发为特征的慢性、免疫介导性疾病。脱发范围可从小的、局限的头皮无发区到头部和全身毛发完全脱落。然而，关于 AA 的流行病学数据有限。目前在德国缺乏评估。本研究旨在基于索赔数据评估德国 AA 的流行病学和合并症。
评估了 2016 年至 2020 年期间在德国一家法定健康保险公司（DAK-Gesundheit）投保的所有成年人的代表性 40%样本（n=288 万人）。基于至少一次相关的门诊或住院 ICD-10 L63 诊断，计算了 2016 年至 2020 年的 AA 年患病率和发病率（ICD-10 L63）。使用不同的病例定义进行诊断验证。此外，还研究了 AA 患者合并症的发生情况。
2020 年，AA 的患病率为每 10 万人中有 210 例，发病率为每 10 万人中有 72 例。与没有 AA 的人相比，AA 患者更常患有特应性皮炎（RR 2.9）、瘙痒（RR 2.7）、红斑狼疮（RR 2.4）、荨麻疹（RR 2.3）和银屑病（RR 2.2）。女性的发病率略高于男性（0.2%比 0.1%）。在区域层面，勃兰登堡州（患病率为每 10 万人 332 例；发病率为每 10 万人 116 例）、黑森州（患病率为每 10 万人 344 例；发病率为每 10 万人 124 例）和梅克伦堡-前波美拉尼亚州（患病率为每 10 万人 303 例；发病率为每 10 万人 111 例）的患病率和发病率较高。
AA 是一种常见的免疫介导性皮肤病，在德国存在明显的区域性差异。为了全面了解流行病学，包括 AA 临床特征的补充人群研究是有用的。
