Alopecia areata and coeliac disease: No effect of a gluten-free diet on hair growth

Background: An association between alopecia areata (AA) and coeliac disease has recently been reported. Aim: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the possible effect of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on the new growth of hair in 5 alopecic patients with CD. Methods: CD was diagnosed in 5 patients with AA (universalis in 3 cases and patchy in 2 cases). The diagnosis of CD was ba sed on serological and histological standard criteria. Results: In all pati ents the GFD resolved CD clinically, serologically and histologically but h ad no effect on the course of alopecia, Conclusion: AA and CD, when associa ted, present different responses to a GFD and have an independent course. C opyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.