Clinical and Laboratory Indicators of Candido-Endocrine Syndrome in Patients with Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Recently, the study of comorbid conditions in patients with alopecia areata (AA) has become relevant, as it directly affects the clinical course and prognosis of the disease, the choice of treatment tactics, and the quality of life of patients. The study of comorbid conditions in patients with alopecia is a priority area for determining the tactics of ongoing therapy.
Materials and Methods: 112 patients with alopecia areata aged from 1 to 52 years, who received inpatient treatment at the RSSPMC Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, were examined. Among them, 67 (59.8%) were female and 45 (40.17%) were male. Clinically, among the 112 patients, focal alopecia was diagnosed in 62 (55.4%), subtotal in 19 (16.9%), total in 18 (16.1%), and universal in 13 (11.7%). Clinical, mycological, immunological, instrumental (trichoscopy), and statistical research methods were used for all patients.
Research Results: Mycological studies of biological substrates in 112 patients with alopecia areata showed the presence of fungi of the genus Candida in 97 patients, accounting for 86.6% of cases. IHLA studies of thyroid hormones showed an increase in the concentration of free triiodothyronine T3 by 1.6 times, thyroxine T4 by 1.1 times, and antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (antiTPO) by 15.5 times, with an average of 80.4 ± 46.6 IU/l, indicating the development of hypothyroidism in patients with alopecia areata (P <0.05). Vitamin D studies revealed a significant decrease in concentration by 1.6 times compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Patients with alopecia areata develop a component of candido-endocrine syndrome, characterized by intestinal dysbiosis caused by fungi of the genus Candida and a dysfunction of the thyroid gland - autoimmune hypothyroidism, accompanied by vitamin D deficiency.