الفهرس 
Alopecia AreataOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Alopecia areata is a common disease of the hair follicle characterized by the appearance of patchy areas of hair loss leaving a smooth and non-scarred scalp.This disorder is potentially reversible and is characterized by: limited patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), loss of all scalp hair (alopecia totalis) or all body hair (alopecia universalis).
The exact pathogenesis of hair loss includes the patient’s genetic constitution, immune factors, and emotional stress. AA is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease with cytokines playing an important role, there is lesional expression of IFN-γ. IL-2, IL1 and over expression of intercellular adhesion molecule and MHC molecules on hairfollicle keratinocytes.
Audiological abnormalities seen in various autoimmune disorders raised the question of whether such abnormalities also existed in alopecia areata. Follicular melanocytes is an important target in the autoimmune process of AA and AA may have an effect on hearing function by affecting the melanocytes in the inner ear.
Our study aimed at investigating autoimmune hearing loss in Egyptian patients with AA in comparison to controls. The study included 40 subjects, 20 AA patients and 20 controls. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking and examination to detect type, extent (SALT) score of AA. Complete clinical, otoscopic and audiological examination by an audiometer was done for both ears of patients and controls.
The obtained data was tabulated and statistically analyzed. The results revealed significant presence of sensorineural hearing loss in AA patients in comparison to controls. This hearing loss was more in extensive form of the disease than in the mild form. There was also a direct correlation with the disease severity.
There was no significant correlation between sensorineural hearing loss and gender of the patients. On the contrary, there was significant correlation between hearing loss and duration of the disease and recurrence of attacks. There was a positive (direct) correlation between sensorineural hearing impairement on one hand and age of the patients on the other hand.