Serum ferritin levels in non-scarring alopecia of women: a case-control study

Iron deficiency in the etiology of hair loss has been studied for more than 45 years. However, contradictory reports have been published and almost all the studies conducted so far are based on observational methodology. To find out if any real association exists between the iron deficiency and alopecia. One hundred consecutive, clinically typical female patients [14-54 years] with nonscarring alopecia i.e. alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium and an equal number of age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Both groups were evaluated for serum ferritin and other important parameters of iron status. Mean serum ferritin value of cases was significantly lower than that of the controls [p=0.005]. Patients with alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia had significantly lower values of serum ferritin [p=0.011 and 0.015, respectively], but there was no significant difference in telogen effluvium cases and controls [p=0.348]. The values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH and transferring-saturation were significantly lower in cases but had significantly higher TIBC values than controls. There is a definite association of decreased serum ferritin levels and nonscarring alopecia in women. The iron stores of female patients with nonscarring alopecias should be built for the optimum response to treatment as the proposed triggering factor can be abolished

Chronic idiopathic urticaria, gastrointestinal symptoms and Helicobacter pylori infection

Chronic idiopathic urticaria [CIU] is one of the most persistent and distressing skin diseases and the only treatment available is symptomatic in the form of H[1] blockers and systemic steroids in severe cases. Chronic infections have always been implicated in the causation of chronic urticaria. The presence of associated gastrointestinal symptoms in a sizable percentage of patients of chronic urticaria as well as the chronic and asymptomatic nature of Helicobacter pylori infection make the possibility of an association between chronic urticaria and H. pylori infection a biologically plausible one. In the present study sixty patients of chronic idiopathic urticaria were evaluated along with an equal number of age and sex matched controls for presence of H. pylori infection by means of an ELISA-based serological test. All seropositive patients were then given eradication treatment for H. pylori infection and monitored for any improvement in signs and symptoms. The overall H. pylori seropositivity was found to be 60% in cases as compared with only 31.6% in control group. Furthermore, there was an overall response rate of 58% in those patients who were treated by H. pylori eradication therapy