“Evaluation of Depression and Anxiety in Trichodynia patients of Androgenic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata”

Introduction: Trichodynia refers to pain, discomfort or paresthesia of the scalp. It is a very common, relatively new and usually under diagnosed entity. It is frequently related with diseases of hair loss like Telogen Effluvium, Alopecia Areata and Androgenic Alopecia. Methodology: 300 subjects were recruited after taking written informed consent for study, including 100 cases of Androgenic Alopecia, Alopecia Areata and control each. First each group was analyzed for the presence of Trichodynia, then the patients with Trichodynia were evaluated for anxiety and depression by applying Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). Results: Trichodynia was found in significantly higher in patients of Androgenic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata when compared with control. Anxiety was significantly higher in patients with Alopecia Areata with Trichodynia, when compared with Alopecia Areata without Trichodynia, while no statistically significant difference was found in terms of depression. Conclusion: Trichodynia is a common problem in patients of Androgenic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata and anxiety is frequently associated with Trichodynia.