To Investigate the Prevalence of Thyroid Function test Anomalies and Serum Thyroid Autoantibodies in Individuals with Vitiligo and Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo are autoimmune disorders defined by the loss of hair and the presence of depigmented patches on the skin, respectively. It is often linked to other autoimmune illnesses, particularly autoimmune thyroid disorders, suggesting that autoimmunity may play a role in its development. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of thyroid function test anomalies and serum thyroid autoantibodies in individuals with vitiligo and alopecia areata. Methodology: A total of 160 patients were allocated into two groups, with 80 patients assigned to the AA group and 80 patients assigned to the vitiligo group. We retrieved demographic information, clinical features, and test findings of the patients from our system. All patients underwent analysis of thyroid function tests, including free T3, free T4, and TSH, as well as blood levels of thyroid autoantibodies (Anti-TG and anti-TPO). This research was done in compliance with the ethical criteria and received approval from the ethics committee. Results: The mean levels of free T3, free T4, and TSH were not significantly different between the AA and vitiligo groups. The mean free T3 levels were 4.23 ± 0.88 pmol/L in the AA group and 4.43 ± 0.93 pmol/L in the vitiligo group (p=0.15). Similarly, the mean free T4 levels were 16.58 ± 1.46 pmol/L in the AA group and 16.98 ± 1.45 pmol/L in the vitiligo group (p=0.21). The mean TSH levels were 2.07 ± 0.77 mIU/L in the AA group and 2.21 ± 0.75 mIU/L in the vitiligo group (p=0.11). Elevated TSH was observed in 7.5% of AA patients and 10% of vitiligo patients (p=0.14), while suppressed TSH was observed in 8.75% of AA patients and 6.25% of vitiligo patients (p=0.22). Elevated free T3 was found in 5% of AA patients and 3.75% of vitiligo patients (p=0.15), and suppressed free T3 in 1.25% of AA patients and 2.5% of vitiligo patients (p=0.21). Elevated free T4 was observed in 6.25% of AA patients and 5% of vitiligo patients (p=0.16), while suppressed free T4 was found in 2.5% of AA patients and 3.75% of vitiligo patients (p=0.11). Positive Anti-TG antibodies were found in 25% of AA patients and 22.5% of vitiligo patients (p=0.31), while positive Anti-TPO antibodies were found in 22.5% of AA patients and 20% of vitiligo patients (p=0.70). Conclusion: The study's findings on decreased thyroid functioning and thyroid autoantibodies in individuals with vitiligo and AA were in line with prior data collected from other ethnic communities.