Trends of Demographic and Clinical Features of Alopecia Areata in Benghazi-Libya

Alopecica areata (AA) is thought to be a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease directed against an unknown hair follicle autoantigen. The aim of this study was determine demographic and clinical features alopecia in Benghazi-Libya.
 Patients Methods: In cross-sectional observational one hundred seventy-one patients with clinically diagnosed who attended the clinic dermatology outpatient department at Jomhoria hospital, Benghazi-Libya over period 2 years, all were subjected detailed history complete dermatological examination by dermatologists. To confirm diagnosis, sites type, ascertain severity disease. Statistical analysis performed using SPSS (version 18.0), descriptive statistics calculated chi-square test.
 Results: 171 AA, 63.2% females, male female ratio 1:1.7. patients' mean age 25.5 onset 22.6 years. majority aged ≤30 years (66.4%) showed limited AA.
 A positive family AA elicited 20.5%. duration < 1 year recorded 52.6% patients.
 commonest type patchy single patch (52%). Limited (mild) (less than 50% involvement) seen more males (39.4%) severe females (73%). Precipitating factors reported 50.3% patients, stress constituted 49.1% personal atopy 24.6% vitiligo 4.1% patients. Out total 42.1% had nail changes, 38% 137 mild 58.8% involvement, indicating significant correlation between changes (P=0.027).
 Conclusion: Alopecia considered important health problem our community. Stress common precipitating factor, are significantly reported.