Recent findings show that patients with alopecia areata (AA) are more likely to develop anxiety and depressive disorders compared to the general population.
A meta-analysis was designed to examine differences between the incidence of these mental health disorders and those of AA patients.
The researchers noted that both depressive and anxiety symptoms could be technically identified by the questionnaire, but they were often associated with physical symptoms that could be attributed to skin disorders. , leading to an overestimation of psychiatric prevalence.
The research team was led by Sophie Lauron, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Adult Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Pascal Institute, Clermont-Auvergne University, France.
“The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to obtain a more precise assessment of the various factors associated with prevalence, which to our knowledge has never been attempted before.” writes Rollon and colleagues.
The team’s meta-analysis collected studies using data on depressive and anxiety disorders and symptoms from the following databases:
- science direct
- The Cochrane Library
- embase
- PsycINFO
Researchers used the Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guidelines and collected all studies (observational or intervention studies) with data on the prevalence of a disorder or condition.
There were also no restrictions regarding the language of the included studies or the age of the patients.
The team used random-effects model analysis to assess the overall pooled prevalence of both conditions, taking into account inter- and intra-study variability.
They also used meta-regression as a means of examining relationships between study characteristics and variation in prevalence of conditions.
In a meta-analysis of 37 articles (26 articles on anxiety and 29 articles on depression), the researchers found that between 7% and 17% of patients with AA rated AA had depression requiring psychiatric care. or concluded that they reported either an anxiety disorder.
The prevalence of the two disorders in the analysis of AA patients (9% for depressive disorders and 13% for unspecified anxiety disorders) was found to be higher than in the general population, thanks to the team’s distinction between disorders and symptoms. rice field.
The researchers also added that the odds ratio (OR) and prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders were found to be significantly higher than anxiety and depressive symptoms (prevalence of 34% and 37%, respectively). .
“In this systematic review and meta-analysis, independent analysis showed that between 7% and 17% of AA patients had a depressive or anxiety disorder requiring psychiatric care, including specific medications. was done,” they wrote. “Additionally, more than one-third of patients showed symptoms that were warning signs and needed monitoring as they could develop into disability.”
The study “Prevalence and odds of depression and anxiety disorders and symptoms in children and adults with alopecia areata” was published online. JAMA Dermatology.
