Frequency and associated factors of hair loss among patients with inflammatory bowel disease

AIM: To identify the frequency of hair loss among patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) and associated clinical and disease related factors.METHODS: We performed a cross sectional study in a tertiary referral adult IBD clinic.Self-reported history and characteristics of hair loss as well as clinical and demographic information were collected.Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTS: Two hundred and ten consecutive IBD patients were recruited; one hundred and fifty patients met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Thirtythree percent of patients reported a history of hair loss.Age,gender,IBD type and disease duration were not associated with hair loss.Hair loss was reported less frequently among patients with use of mesalamine(54% vs 73%,P = 0.03) and antitumor necrosis factor medications(anti-TNF)(14% vs 40%,P = 0.001).In multivariate analyses adjusting for gender,IBD type and duration of disease,these associations with mesalamine and anti-TNF remained significant [(adjusted values for mesalamine(OR = 0.43,95%CI: 0.19-0.86) and anti-TNFs(OR = 0.28,95%CI: 0.08-0.98)].CONCLUSION: Hair loss is common among patients with IBD.Mesalamine and anti-TNF medications were associated with lower odds of hair loss.Further studies are required to assess the mechanism of hair loss among patients with IBD.