The association between nuchal nevus flammeus and alopecia areata: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND The association of alopecia areata (AA) with nuchal nevus flammeus (NNF) has been demonstrated by previous studies. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate whether AA is associated with NNF. METHODS 199 AA patients and 215 controls without AA were examined for the presence of NNF. RESULTS 35 patients (17.6%) in the AA group had NNF. In the control group, 20 patients (9.3%) had NNF (odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.43-2.73; p = 0.013). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of NNF and duration of the AA (p < 0.001). The presence of NNF was associated with severity of AA (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study suggest a link between NNF and AA especially in severer and more chronic forms.