The prevalence of alopecia areata in patients referred to Loghman Hakim hospital

Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease that mostly affects adolescents and young people. Prevalence in the population is about 0. 1-0. 2%، seen in both sexes and in all races. This study was done to determine the pattern of disease in patients referred to a teaching hospital in Tehran. A descriptive research was performed. All patients seen in Loghman hospital during the study period from1999 to 2004 were evaluated. Diagnosis of AA was made according to the AA standard and patient characteristics were determined. During the study period 30 patients were enrolled، 53% were between the ages of 13 to 25 years; 73. 3% were males and 26. 7% had family history of AA in first-degree relatives. Epidemiological results of our AA patients are different from other countries which may be due to racial differences، regional or behavioral habits.