Comparison of vitamin D levels in NON-scarring alopecia

Hair loss is a clinical condition that is common in dermatology clinics, involving many etiological factors and significantly affecting the quality of life. This situation can be reversible depending on the etiological factors, as well as permanent hair loss. There are many scientific studies on the etiology of non-scarring alopecia. Emotional factors, chronic diseases, nutritional deficiencies, trace element and vitamin deficiencies are attributed as common causes. Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin; plays an important role in bone metabolism, regulation of the immune system, keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, and the hair follicle cycle. In this study, we aim to evaluate the prevalance of vitamin D deficiency in patients with alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and compare the vitamin D levels in these patient groups, as well as the inflammatory parameters (lymphocyte, neutrophil, platelet, mean platelet volume and NEU / LYM, PLT / LYM, MPV / PLT ratios). In this retropective study, patients diagnosed with alopecia areata, androgenetic alopesi and telogen effluvium between January 2012 and December 2019 were identified (n=1142). Patients under the age of 18 were excluded. Based on the laboratory values of the patients first admission, vitamin D levels, platelet, lymphocyte, neutrophil counts and mean platelet volumes were recorded. Vitamin D values of the patients were examined in four different groups according to the their admission periods: autumn, winter, spring and summer. In the study, majority of patiens had telogen effluvium (n=904) followed by androgenetic alopecia (n=141) and alopecia areata (n=97). Age range was between 18- 78 years. Females comprised %83,9 (n=958) of patients. Vitamin D level was deficient in 907 (79.4%) patients, vitamin D level was insufficient in 170 patients (14.9%), and vitamin D level was sufficient in 63 patients (5.5%). Vitamin D levels of the patients who applied to our clinic in the spring season were found to be significantly lower than the patients who applied to the clinic in the summer season (p = 0.039). Vitamin D level was significantly lower in female gender (p = 0.009). There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels between the patient groups (p = 0.309). In our study, no ix significant difference was found in lymphocyte levels between patient groups (p = 0.353). Platelet level was lower in the alopecia areata patient group compared to the telogen effluvium group (p = 0.005), while the mean platelet volume was higher in alopecia areata patient group (p = 0.044) and telogen effluvium patient group (p = 0.024) compared to the androgenetic alopecia patient group. As a result, it should be kept in mind that vitamin D plays a role in the regulation of the hair follicle cycle and vitamin D is vital for patients with hair loss. Large-scale, controlled and prospective studies are needed to establish the effect of vitamin D levels in non-scarring alopecias.