Association Between Alopecia Areata and High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin T As a Marker of Subclinical Myocardial Injury Publisher



Ramezani A ; Abedini R ; Etesami I ; Hamzelou S ; Barkhordarioon A ; Shakoei S
Source: Dermatologic Therapy Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disorder characterized by nonscarring hair loss, affecting up to 2% of the population. While primarily a dermatological condition, recent studies have explored possible systemic associations, including cardiovascular involvement. Troponins have been a focal point in examining cardiovascular risks in various autoimmune diseases. This study aims to evaluate and compare High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) levels in patients with AA against healthy controls to explore potential cardiovascular risk associations. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 45 patients with AA and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were enrolled. Demographic characteristics of patients, medical history, and lifestyle factors were gathered through questionnaires. Patient blood samples were collected, and hs-cTnT levels were determined using high-sensitivity immunoassays to provide accurate measurements. Statistical analyses were conducted using the SPSS software. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Both study groups comprised of 26 male and 19 female participants. The mean age of the AA group was 37.33 ± 12.49, and the mean age of the control group was 36.22 ± 12.28. Of the patients with AA, 73.3% had patchy areata, 11.1% had totalis areata, and 15.6% had universalis areata. The mean hs-cTnT levels in the AA group were 4.29 ± 3.54 and 2.87 ± 2.05 for the control group (p value = 0.04). The disease duration exhibited a positive correlation with elevated concentrations of hs-cTnT (p value < 0.001). Conclusion: Elevated hs-cTnT levels in patients with AA strengthen the link between AA and cardiovascular diseases. Additional research is needed to clarify the relationship between AA and elevated cardiac markers. Studies with larger sample sizes, long-term follow-ups, and comprehensive cardiac assessments (including laboratory tests and imaging techniques) can provide more definitive evidence to determine the cause of the increased marker levels. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.