Alopecia Areata Epidemiology

Key Highlights

• Alopecia areata is a complex, polygenic, autoimmune disorder characterized by patches of non-scarring alopecia affecting the scalp and body hair that can be psychologically devastating. Alopecia areata is clinically heterogeneous, and the course of the disease is unpredictable, with spontaneous regrowth of hair occurring in 80% of patients within the first year and sudden relapse at any given time. Cases beginning during childhood are more severe than cases with an onset during adulthood.
• Typically, an alopecia areata diagnosis can be made based on the pattern of hair loss and the patient’s medical history. In some cases, a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Recently, dermoscopy (trichoscopy) has emerged as a helpful supporting tool.
• Treatment options for alopecia areata include topical, locally injected, or systemic steroids, contact immunotherapy, topical minoxidil, topical irritants such as anthralin, and systemic immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine or methotrexate. Current and promising investigational treatments include JAK inhibitors, platelet-rich plasma, recombinant IL-2, hydroxychloroquine, simvastatin with ezetimibe, and excimer laser.
• As per DelveInsight’s estimates, the prevalent cases of alopecia areata in the US was found to be ~783,100 cases in 2022, which as per DelveInsight’s analysts, is expected to increase by 2034.
• Despite limited evidence for the efficacy of therapeutic agents, intralesional and topical corticosteroids are considered first-line treatment for most patients with patchy alopecia areata. Patients with extensive disease, often defined as greater than 50% scalp hair loss, may be treated with topical immunotherapy. This approach avoids the large number of injections that would be otherwise required when using intralesional corticosteroids.

DelveInsight’s “Alopecia Areata Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, historical and forecasted epidemiology in the United States.

Geography Covered

• The United States

Study period: 2021-2034

Alopecia Areata Disease Understanding and Diagnostic Algorithm

Alopecia Areata Overview

According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF), alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease, causing hair loss on the scalp, face, and sometimes on other areas of the body, affecting people of all ages, both sexes and all ethnic groups can develop alopecia areata. As per research, alopecia areata affects 1 in every 500–1,000 people in the United States. It is one of many recognized forms of alopecia; alopecia areata is the second most common form after androgenetic alopecia. It often first appears during childhood and can be different for everyone who has it.

There are different types of alopecia areata, among which the three main forms include: alopecia areata patchy, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis. Persistent patchy alopecia areata, diffuse alopecia areata, and ophiasis alopecia are alopecia areata’s other observed clinical variants. Alopecia areata is known as “polygenic disease” due to its genetic predisposition; about 20% of people with alopecia areata have a family history. In alopecia areata, hair loss is mainly due to inflammation caused by an attack of hair follicles by the body’s immune system, but the exact cause behind this autoimmune disorder is still unknown.

Alopecia Areata Diagnosis

The evaluation of an alopecia areata patient should include a comprehensive medical and family history, and a thorough examination of the scalp, the face, and the entire body, including the nails. This should always be complemented by dermatoscopy and a hair pull test. When clinical findings do not allow a definite diagnosis, additional investigations may be necessary, such as a scalp biopsy, a fungal culture, or serology for other autoimmune diseases or infectious diseases

Further details related to country-based variations are provided in the reported

Alopecia Areata Epidemiology

The Alopecia Areata epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Areata Age Onset Cases in the US, Type-specific Cases of Alopecia Areata in the US, Severity-specific Cases of Alopecia Areata in the US and Comorbidities Associated with Alopecia Areata in the US from 2021 to 2034.

• As per DelveInsight’s estimates, the prevalent cases of alopecia areata in the US were found to be ~783,100 cases in 2022, which as per DelveInsight’s analysts, is expected to increase by 2034.
• The total alopecia areata age onset cases in the US for before 40 and after 40 was found to be ~657,800 cases and ~125,300 cases in 2022 respectively. As per DelveInsight’s analysts, these cases are expected to increase by 2034.
• In 2019, there were ~741,600 cases of alopecia areata (patchy), ~16,100 cases of alopecia areata totalis and ~25,500 cases of alopecia areata universalis, which are expected to increase by 2034.

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of key events, an executive summary, and a descriptive overview of Alopecia Areata, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, pathogenesis, and currently available therapies.
• Comprehensive insight into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, and disease progression have been provided.
• A detailed review of current challenges in establishing diagnosis and diagnosis rate is provided.

Alopecia Areata report insights

• Patient population
• Prevalence pattern
• Diagnosis rate
• Country-wise epidemiology distribution

Alopecia Areata report key strengths

• Ten years forecast
• The United States coverage
• Alopecia Areata epidemiology segmentation

Alopecia Areata report assessment

• Epidemiology segmentation
• Current diagnostic practices

Key Questions

Epidemiology insights

• What are the disease risk and burdens of Alopecia Areata? What will be the growth opportunities across the United States with respect to the patient population of Alopecia Areata?
• What is the historical and forecasted Alopecia Areata patient pool in the United States.
• Why are only limited patients with symptoms treated?
• What factors are affecting the increase in the diagnosis of symptomatic cases?

Reasons to buy

• The report will help develop business strategies by understanding the latest trends and changing epidemiology dynamics driving the Alopecia Areata.
• Insights on patient burden/disease prevalence, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To understand the perspective of Key Opinion Leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis and current diagnosis rate of the eligible patient pool.