The Role of Ischemia-modified Albumin and Ischemia-Modified Albumin to Albumin Ratios in Patients with Alopecia Areata.

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and IMA/albumin levels in patients with AA.

METHODS

The present prospective crossectional study includes patients ≥18 who were admitted to the Dermatology and Venerology Department of Hitit University Hospital between April 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021. 70 patients participated in the study (n=34 for the study group and n=36 for the control group). Demographic features, clinical characteristics, IMA, and IMA/albumin levels were compared between the groups. The study group was divided into subgroups based on the number of patches, disease duration, and the number of disease attacks. IMA and IMA/albumin levels were compared between each subgroup.

RESULTS

The study and control groups were similar with regard to demographic features and clinical characteristics. Significant differences were observed between the mean IMA and IMA/albumin ratio (p=0.004 and 0.012, respectively). The study subgroups were comparable in the number of patches, disease duration, and number of disease attacks.

CONCLUSION

Although oxidative stress is an important component in the etiology of AA, IMA and IMA/albumin may not be useful in the prediction of disease severity in patients with AA.