Immune-Mediated and Psychiatric Comorbidities Among Patients Newly Diagnosed With Alopecia Areata

Key Points Question What are the risks of developing new-onset psychiatric or autoimmune diseases after diagnosis of alopecia areata? Findings This cohort study of 3 372 491 patients found that those newly diagnosed with alopecia areata had a higher prevalence and incidence of psychiatric and autoimmune comorbidities. Patients with alopecia areata had a significantly higher risk of developing a new-onset psychiatric or other autoimmune disease than patients without alopecia areata. Meaning These findings suggest that individuals with vs without alopecia areata have higher risks of developing psychiatric and/or autoimmune comorbidities after diagnosis; early treatment with effective therapies may reduce these risks and thereby reduce the burden of disease for patients.