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 aim 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/adolescent) 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 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 correlatedly 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.