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Alopecia universalis(AU)

MedGen UID:
120481
Concept ID:
C0263505
Disease or Syndrome
Synonym: AU
SNOMED CT: Universal alopecia areata (86166000); Alopecia universalis (86166000)
 
HPO: HP:0002289
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0800198
OMIM®: 104000

Definition

Alopecia areata is a common disorder that causes hair loss. "Alopecia" is a Latin term that means baldness, and "areata" refers to the patchy nature of the hair loss that is typically seen with this condition.

In most people with alopecia areata, hair falls out in small, round patches, leaving coin-sized areas of bare skin. This patchy hair loss occurs most often on the scalp but can affect other parts of the body as well. Uncommonly, the hair loss involves the entire scalp (in which case the condition is known as alopecia totalis) or the whole body (alopecia universalis). Other rare forms of alopecia areata, which have different patterns of hair loss, have also been reported.

Alopecia areata affects people of all ages, although it most commonly appears in adolescence or early adulthood. Hair loss occurs over a period of weeks. The hair usually grows back after several months, although it may fall out again. In some cases, unpredictable cycles of hair loss followed by regrowth can last for years. In addition to hair loss, some affected individuals have fingernail and toenail abnormalities, such as pits on the surface of the nails.

The hair loss associated with alopecia areata is not painful or disabling. However, it causes changes in a person's appearance that can profoundly affect quality of life and self-esteem. In some people, the condition can lead to depression, anxiety, and other emotional or psychological issues. [from MedlinePlus Genetics]

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVAlopecia universalis
Follow this link to review classifications for Alopecia universalis in Orphanet.

Conditions with this feature

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, type 1
MedGen UID:
39125
Concept ID:
C0085859
Disease or Syndrome
Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I (APS1) is characterized by the presence of 2 of 3 major clinical symptoms: Addison disease, and/or hypoparathyroidism, and/or chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (Neufeld et al., 1981). However, variable APS1 phenotypes have been observed, even among sibs. In addition, some patients may exhibit apparent isolated hypoparathyroidism, an early manifestation of APS1 with peak incidence at around age 5 years; over long-term follow-up, the development of additional features of APS1 may be observed (Cranston et al., 2022).
Vitamin D-dependent rickets type II with alopecia
MedGen UID:
90989
Concept ID:
C0342646
Disease or Syndrome
Vitamin D-dependent rickets type 2A (VDDR2A) is caused by a defect in the vitamin D receptor gene. This defect leads to an increase in the circulating ligand, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Most patients have total alopecia in addition to rickets. VDDR2B (600785) is a form of vitamin D-dependent rickets with a phenotype similar to VDDR2A but a normal vitamin D receptor, in which end-organ resistance to vitamin D has been shown to be caused by a nuclear ribonucleoprotein that interferes with the vitamin D receptor-DNA interaction. For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of rickets due to disorders in vitamin D metabolism or action, see vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1A (VDDR1A; 264700).
Satoyoshi syndrome
MedGen UID:
318882
Concept ID:
C1833454
Disease or Syndrome
Satoyoshi syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by progressive, painful, intermittent muscle spasms, diarrhea or unusual malabsorption, endocrinopathy with amenorrhea, and secondary skeletal abnormalities. The disorder is also called komuragaeri disease by the Japanese; in Japanese 'komura' means calf and 'gaeri' means 'turnover' or spasm. All cases have apparently been sporadic, even when occurring in large families (Ehlayel and Lacassie, 1995).
Alopecia-intellectual disability syndrome 2
MedGen UID:
372142
Concept ID:
C1835852
Disease or Syndrome
Alopecia areata 2
MedGen UID:
343971
Concept ID:
C1853104
Disease or Syndrome
Immunodeficiency due to CD25 deficiency
MedGen UID:
377894
Concept ID:
C1853392
Disease or Syndrome
Immunodeficiency-41 is an autosomal recessive complex disorder of immune dysregulation. Affected individuals present in infancy with recurrent viral, fungal, and bacterial infections, lymphadenopathy, and variable autoimmune features, such as autoimmune enteropathy and eczematous skin lesions. Immunologic studies show a defect in T-cell regulation (summary by Goudy et al., 2013).
Alopecia universalis congenita
MedGen UID:
349262
Concept ID:
C1859877
Congenital Abnormality
Alopecia universalis congenita (ALUNC) is a severe autosomal recessive form of alopecia characterized by a complete absence of hair development affecting all scalp and body hair (Nothen et al., 1998). This rare disorder is clearly distinct from alopecia areata (AA1; 104000), which has an autoimmune basis with probable genetic predisposition.
Alopecia-intellectual disability syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
349263
Concept ID:
C1859878
Disease or Syndrome
Alopecia-intellectual disability syndrome (APMR) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in which affected individuals show loss of hair on the scalp, absence of eyebrows, eyelashes, and axillary and pubic hair, and mildly to severely impaired intellectual development (summary by Wali et al., 2007). Genetic Heterogeneity of Alopecia-Intellectual Disability Syndrome Loci for alopecia-intellectual disability syndrome have been mapped to chromosome 3q26.2-q26.31 (APMR2; 610422) and chromosome 18q11.2-q12.2 (APMR3; 613930). APMR4 (618840) is caused by mutation in the LSS gene (600909) on chromosome 21q22.
Alopecia areata 1
MedGen UID:
400208
Concept ID:
C1863094
Disease or Syndrome
Alopecia areata is a genetically determined, immune-mediated disorder of the hair follicle with an estimated lifetime risk of approximately 2%, making it one of the most common human autoimmune diseases. It shows a spectrum of severity that ranges from patchy localized hair loss on the scalp to the complete absence of hair everywhere on the body (Gilhar and Kalish, 2006).
Lethal acantholytic epidermolysis bullosa
MedGen UID:
400622
Concept ID:
C1864826
Disease or Syndrome
Lethal acantholytic epidermolysis bullosa (EBLA) is an autosomal recessive skin disorder characterized by extensive epidermal dislodgment, universal alopecia, and anonychia. Cardiac involvement may be present. Death occurs in the neonatal period (summary by Hobbs et al., 2010).
Alopecia-intellectual disability syndrome 3
MedGen UID:
462712
Concept ID:
C3151362
Disease or Syndrome
Hypotrichosis 11
MedGen UID:
767323
Concept ID:
C3554409
Disease or Syndrome
Hypotrichosis-11 (HYPT11) is a form of isolated alopecia characterized by diffuse and progressive loss of hair starting in childhood. Affected individuals typically present with sparse to absent scalp hair, and may have brittle or absent eyebrows and eyelashes as well as sparse body hair, without hair shaft anomalies (summary by Pan et al., 2021). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of nonsyndromic hypotrichosis, see HYPT1 (605389).
Olmsted syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
1778121
Concept ID:
C5542829
Disease or Syndrome
Olmsted syndrome-1 (OLMS1) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by bilateral mutilating palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK) and periorificial keratotic plaques with severe pruritus of lesions. Diffuse alopecia, constriction of digits, and onychodystrophy have also been reported. Infections and squamous cell carcinomas can arise on the keratotic areas (summary by Lin et al., 2012). The digital constriction ('pseudoainhum') may progress to autoamputation of fingers and toes (Olmsted, 1927). Genetic Heterogeneity of Olmsted Syndrome Olmsted syndrome-2 (OLMS2; 619208) is caused by mutation in the PERP gene (609301) on chromosome 6q23. An X-linked form of Olmsted syndrome (OLMSX; 300918) is caused by mutation in the MBTPS2 gene (300294) on chromosome Xp22.
Olmsted syndrome 2
MedGen UID:
1779902
Concept ID:
C5543096
Disease or Syndrome
Olmsted syndrome-2 (OLMS2) is characterized by mutilating hyperkeratotic skin lesions, primarily on the palms and soles, but also extending onto dorsal surfaces of the hands and feet and distal extremities. The lesions are progressive, becoming thicker with verrucous fissures on the palms and soles over time. In addition, affected individuals exhibit perioral hyperkeratosis, and may have lesions around other orifices as well, such as the nostrils, perineum, and anus. Most patients also have hyperkeratotic nails and light-colored woolly hair (Duchatelet et al., 2019). Some patients may experience flexion contractures of the digits due to the severity of the keratoderma, and intractable pruritus and alopecia universalis have been observed (Dai et al., 2020). For a general phenotypic description and discussion of genetic heterogeneity of Olmsted disease, see OLMS1 (614594).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Rudnicka L, Arenbergerova M, Grimalt R, Ioannides D, Katoulis AC, Lazaridou E, Olszewska M, Ovcharenko YS, Piraccini BM, Prohic A, Rakowska A, Reygagne P, Richard MA, Soares RO, Starace M, Vañó-Galvan S, Waskiel-Burnat A
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024 Apr;38(4):687-694. Epub 2024 Jan 2 doi: 10.1111/jdv.19768. PMID: 38169088
Zhou C, Li X, Wang C, Zhang J
Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2021 Dec;61(3):403-423. Epub 2021 Aug 17 doi: 10.1007/s12016-021-08883-0. PMID: 34403083
Sterkens A, Lambert J, Bervoets A
Clin Exp Med 2021 May;21(2):215-230. Epub 2021 Jan 1 doi: 10.1007/s10238-020-00673-w. PMID: 33386567

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Zhou C, Li X, Wang C, Zhang J
Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2021 Dec;61(3):403-423. Epub 2021 Aug 17 doi: 10.1007/s12016-021-08883-0. PMID: 34403083
Afford R, Leung AKC, Lam JM
Curr Pediatr Rev 2021;17(1):45-54. doi: 10.2174/1573396316666200430084825. PMID: 32351186
Simakou T, Butcher JP, Reid S, Henriquez FL
J Autoimmun 2019 Mar;98:74-85. Epub 2018 Dec 15 doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.12.001. PMID: 30558963
Strazzulla LC, Wang EHC, Avila L, Lo Sicco K, Brinster N, Christiano AM, Shapiro J
J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Jan;78(1):15-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1142. PMID: 29241773
Strazzulla LC, Wang EHC, Avila L, Lo Sicco K, Brinster N, Christiano AM, Shapiro J
J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Jan;78(1):1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1141. PMID: 29241771

Diagnosis

Lee H, Huang KP, Mostaghimi A, Choudhry NK
JAMA Dermatol 2023 Nov 1;159(11):1253-1257. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.3109. PMID: 37728940Free PMC Article
Zhou C, Li X, Wang C, Zhang J
Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2021 Dec;61(3):403-423. Epub 2021 Aug 17 doi: 10.1007/s12016-021-08883-0. PMID: 34403083
Sterkens A, Lambert J, Bervoets A
Clin Exp Med 2021 May;21(2):215-230. Epub 2021 Jan 1 doi: 10.1007/s10238-020-00673-w. PMID: 33386567
Afford R, Leung AKC, Lam JM
Curr Pediatr Rev 2021;17(1):45-54. doi: 10.2174/1573396316666200430084825. PMID: 32351186
Cranwell WC, Lai VW, Photiou L, Meah N, Wall D, Rathnayake D, Joseph S, Chitreddy V, Gunatheesan S, Sindhu K, Sharma P, Green J, Eisman S, Yip L, Jones L, Sinclair R
Australas J Dermatol 2019 May;60(2):163-170. Epub 2018 Nov 8 doi: 10.1111/ajd.12941. PMID: 30411329

Therapy

Rudnicka L, Arenbergerova M, Grimalt R, Ioannides D, Katoulis AC, Lazaridou E, Olszewska M, Ovcharenko YS, Piraccini BM, Prohic A, Rakowska A, Reygagne P, Richard MA, Soares RO, Starace M, Vañó-Galvan S, Waskiel-Burnat A
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024 Apr;38(4):687-694. Epub 2024 Jan 2 doi: 10.1111/jdv.19768. PMID: 38169088
King BA, Craiglow BG
J Am Acad Dermatol 2023 Aug;89(2S):S29-S32. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.05.049. PMID: 37591562
Sterkens A, Lambert J, Bervoets A
Clin Exp Med 2021 May;21(2):215-230. Epub 2021 Jan 1 doi: 10.1007/s10238-020-00673-w. PMID: 33386567
Afford R, Leung AKC, Lam JM
Curr Pediatr Rev 2021;17(1):45-54. doi: 10.2174/1573396316666200430084825. PMID: 32351186
Simakou T, Butcher JP, Reid S, Henriquez FL
J Autoimmun 2019 Mar;98:74-85. Epub 2018 Dec 15 doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.12.001. PMID: 30558963

Prognosis

Sterkens A, Lambert J, Bervoets A
Clin Exp Med 2021 May;21(2):215-230. Epub 2021 Jan 1 doi: 10.1007/s10238-020-00673-w. PMID: 33386567
Afford R, Leung AKC, Lam JM
Curr Pediatr Rev 2021;17(1):45-54. doi: 10.2174/1573396316666200430084825. PMID: 32351186
Cranwell WC, Lai VW, Photiou L, Meah N, Wall D, Rathnayake D, Joseph S, Chitreddy V, Gunatheesan S, Sindhu K, Sharma P, Green J, Eisman S, Yip L, Jones L, Sinclair R
Australas J Dermatol 2019 May;60(2):163-170. Epub 2018 Nov 8 doi: 10.1111/ajd.12941. PMID: 30411329
Strazzulla LC, Wang EHC, Avila L, Lo Sicco K, Brinster N, Christiano AM, Shapiro J
J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Jan;78(1):15-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1142. PMID: 29241773
Strazzulla LC, Wang EHC, Avila L, Lo Sicco K, Brinster N, Christiano AM, Shapiro J
J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Jan;78(1):1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1141. PMID: 29241771

Clinical prediction guides

Rudnicka L, Arenbergerova M, Grimalt R, Ioannides D, Katoulis AC, Lazaridou E, Olszewska M, Ovcharenko YS, Piraccini BM, Prohic A, Rakowska A, Reygagne P, Richard MA, Soares RO, Starace M, Vañó-Galvan S, Waskiel-Burnat A
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024 Apr;38(4):687-694. Epub 2024 Jan 2 doi: 10.1111/jdv.19768. PMID: 38169088
Dainichi T, Iwata M, Kaku Y
J Dermatol Sci 2023 Dec;112(3):120-127. Epub 2023 Oct 11 doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2023.09.008. PMID: 37833164
Afford R, Leung AKC, Lam JM
Curr Pediatr Rev 2021;17(1):45-54. doi: 10.2174/1573396316666200430084825. PMID: 32351186
Lee HH, Gwillim E, Patel KR, Hua T, Rastogi S, Ibler E, Silverberg JI
J Am Acad Dermatol 2020 Mar;82(3):675-682. Epub 2019 Aug 19 doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.08.032. PMID: 31437543
Strazzulla LC, Wang EHC, Avila L, Lo Sicco K, Brinster N, Christiano AM, Shapiro J
J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Jan;78(1):1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.04.1141. PMID: 29241771

Recent systematic reviews

Mateos-Haro M, Novoa-Candia M, Sánchez Vanegas G, Correa-Pérez A, Gaetano Gil A, Fernández-García S, Ortega-Quijano D, Urueña Rodriguez MG, Saceda-Corralo D, Bennouna-Dalero T, Giraldo L, Tomlinson J, Vaño-Galván S, Zamora J
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023 Oct 23;10(10):CD013719. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013719.pub2. PMID: 37870096Free PMC Article
Waśkiel-Burnat A, Kołodziejak M, Sikora M, Stochmal A, Rakowska A, Olszewska M, Rudnicka L
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021 Jun;35(6):1299-1308. doi: 10.1111/jdv.17187. PMID: 33630354
Lee HH, Gwillim E, Patel KR, Hua T, Rastogi S, Ibler E, Silverberg JI
J Am Acad Dermatol 2020 Mar;82(3):675-682. Epub 2019 Aug 19 doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2019.08.032. PMID: 31437543
Mohan GC, Silverberg JI
JAMA Dermatol 2015 May;151(5):522-8. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.3324. PMID: 25471826
Delamere FM, Sladden MM, Dobbins HM, Leonardi-Bee J
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD004413. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004413.pub2. PMID: 18425901

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