Quality of Life in Brazilian Patients with Alopecia Areata and Their Caregivers.

INTRODUCTION

Alopecia areata (AA) has a major psychological impact, yet Brazilian data on patients' and caregiver's quality of life (QoL) are lacking. We aimed to assess QoL in patients with AA and their caregivers and identify clinical and socioeconomic correlates.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study including 118 patients (83 adults, 35 children/adolescents) aged ≥4 years with active scalp AA and 58 caregivers was performed at a tertiary dermatology center (2022-2024). QoL was evaluated with DLQI, CDLQI, and FDLQI. Disease severity was scored with Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) II. Sociodemographic and clinical data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests (p ≤ 0.05).

RESULTS

Participants were predominantly female (63.6%) and of mixed race (53.5%), with mean age of 27.6 years. Mean SALT II was 33.9%. Multifocal (39.3%) AA predominated. QoL impact was moderate in adults (median DLQI 6; IQR 3-10) and mild in youth (median CDLQ 5; IQR 2-8) but greater among caregivers (median FDLQI 9; IQR 6-14). Patient-caregivers QoL scores correlated positively (Rho = 0.48, p < 0.001). Dermatologic comorbidities worsened QoL in both groups.

CONCLUSION

AA exerts substantial psychosocial burden on whole family. Caregivers experience higher impairment than patients, underscoring the need for family-centered interventions in Latin America.