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

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.