Work

The Evolving Global Burden of Alopecia Areata in Young Adults: High-Income Nations Bear the Greatest Impact

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: This study quantifies the global burden of alopecia areata (AA) in young adults (15-49 years) from 1990 to 2021 using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study.Objective: To analyze trends in AA incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across demographic and geographic strata.Methods: We evaluated age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and age-standardized DALYs rates, stratified by sex, age, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI).Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess trends.Results: Global ASIR (EAPC, -0.20) and DALY rates (EAPC, -0.19) for AA declined 1990-2021, with larger declines in women, peak rates in 30-34-year-olds, and most prominent declines in high-SDI regions.High-SDI regions accounted for 42% of global DALYs (18% of the population).East Asia (ASIR EAPC, 0.02) and Oman (ASIR EAPC, 0.46) had rising incidence; East Asia (DALY EAPC, 0.04) and Guatemala (DALY EAPC, 0.48) had rising burden.SDI correlated positively with AA burden (ASIR: r=0.68, p<0.01;DALYs: r=0.72, p<0.001).Conclusion: Significant disparities exist in AA burden, with higher rates in females and a peak in young adulthood.The strong positive correlation with SDI highlights the disproportionate impact of AA on high-income nations.

Source: Annals of Dermatology

DOI: 10.5021/ad.25.120

Authors: Yuan Ma, Yuanchen Zhang, Shuai Dong, Yan Mu

Institutions: Jilin University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Jilin University

Language: English

Topic: Hair Growth and Disorders

Subfield: Urology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province, People's Government of Jilin Province