CELIAC-DISEASE AND ALOPECIA-AREATA - REPORT OF A NEW ASSOCIATION

Celiac disease is frequently associated with other autoimmune disorder s but has never been reported in association with alopecia areata. In a routine clinical practice, 3 patients with such an association were observed. In one of the patients, celiac disease was diagnosed after t he occurrence of malabsorption symptoms. In the youngest patient, a 14 -year-old boy, gluten-free diet resulted in complete regrowth of scalp and body hair. A prospective screening program for celiac disease usi ng antigliadin and antiendomysial antibodies was therefore set up in 2 56 consecutive outpatients with alopecia areata. Three patients, all c ompletely asymptomatic for intestinal diseases, were found to be posit ive and underwent biopsy. Histological analysis showed a flat intestin al mucosa consistent with the diagnosis of celiac disease. The results show that alopecia areata may constitute the only clinical manifestat ion of celiac disease and that the association between these two condi tions is a real one because the observed frequency of association is m uch greater than can be expected by chance. It is suggested that antig liadin and antiendomysial antibodies should be included in the work-up of patients with alopecia areata.