Clinicotrichoscopic Patterns of Alopecia and the Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction in a Dermatology Outpatient Setting: A Cross‐Sectional Study

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Background Alopecia is the partial or complete loss of hair affecting all age groups and can be categorized as noncicatricial and cicatricial alopecia. The clinical presentation varies according to the type. Trichoscopy and the hair pull test can assist in the diagnosis and help differentiate various patterns. Methods The current hospital‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted in the outpatient department from November 1, 2023–October 31, 2024. A total of 100 patients clinically diagnosed as noncicatricial and cicatricial alopecia were included. Clinical photographs and trichoscopic examination were performed after taking informed consent. Thyroid function tests, including triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyroid‐stimulating hormone, were assessed, and antithyroid peroxidase antibody levels were obtained. Result The majority (31%) belonged to the 20‐ to 29‐year age group, and the mean age was 34.42 ± 14.12 years. A female predominance was observed among noncicatricial (53%) and cicatricial alopecia (14%), and the scalp was the most frequently affected site in both types (91%). Among patients with noncicatricial alopecia (81%), alopecia areata (AA) was the most common type (37.03%). Among those with cicatricial alopecia (19%), lichen planopilaris (LPP) (47.3%) was the most common type observed. The most frequently observed trichoscopic findings were yellow dots (28%) and miniaturized and vellus hairs (27%). An abnormal thyroid profile was found in 33.3% of patients with noncicatricial and 42.1% of those with cicatricial alopecia. Conclusion Alopecia was found to be more common in the younger age group. AA and LPP were the most common types of noncicatricial and cicatricial alopecia observed, respectively. Subclinical hypothyroidism, followed by hypothyroidism, was the predominant thyroid abnormality in both noncicatricial and cicatricial alopecia.