The correlation between red cell distribution width, autoimmunity and nail involvement in alopecia areata

Abstract

Objectives: Alopecia areata is a widespread autoimmune disease that targets hair follicles, and is characterizedby nonscarring patches of hair loss. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a routinely analyzed parameter duringcomplete blood count, and indicates variations in diameters of red blood cells. Elevated RDW levels areassociated with high level of inflammation and oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate thecorrelation between RDW levels, autoimmunity, and nail involvement in alopecia areata.Methods: Medical records of 170 patients who were admitted to our dermatology clinic between May 2016and May 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 170 patients with alopecia areata diagnosis wereevaluated.Results: The mean age of the patients was 24.61 ± 12.62 years (3-59 years). Sixty patients (35.3%) werefemale, and 110 patients (64.7%) were male. Twenty-seven patients (15.9%) had nail involvement, and 24patients (14.1%) had a history of an autoimmune disease. RDW levels were significantly higher in patientswith nail involvement and history of an autoimmune disease.Conclusion: RDW can be used as a simple, cheap, and readily available marker of inflammation in patientswith alopecia areata.