Descriptive study of primary Cicatricial Alopecia in patients referred to the Skin Clinic of Sina Hospital in Tabriz, 1997-2004

Background and aim: Cicatrical alopecia refers to lesions associated with permanent destruction of hair follicles. Several diseases such as folliculitis decalvans, lichenplanopilaris (LPP) and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) may result in cicatricial alopecia. Since cicatricial alopecia is scarring and affects both the appearance and psychosocial behaviours of the patients and also it can be an alarming sign of some systemic diseases, making an early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent progression and further complications. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiologic and clinicopathologic characteristics of cicatricial alopeica.Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients with cicatricial alopecia were selected from those referred to the skin clinic of Sina hospital in Tabriz for further assessment from 1997 to 2004. Their disease was pathologically proven. All epidermiologic and clinicopathologic data were obtained through questionaires. The results were analysed by means of descriptive statistical methods.Results: Fifty-two of hundred patients were male and 48 were female. The highest incidence rate was found in 3rd, 4th and 5th decades of life. The underlying diseases in descending order were: 30% (24 male, 6 female) had folliculitis decalvans, 25% (10 male and 15 female) had DLE, 18 ( 6 male, 12 female) pseudopelade of Brocq, 14% (4 male and 10 female) had LPP, 8% (4 male, 4 female) had morphea and 5 (4 male , 1 female) had keloidalis folliculitis. From a histo-pathologic point of view, lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia was more common among middle aged women (65%) whereas the neutrophilic type was more prevalent among middle aged men (35%). The ratio of lymphocytic to neutrophilic cicatricial alopecias was 2/1.Conclusion: Considering the high incidence of cicatricial alopecia, early stage diagnosis by biopsy and proper treatment will reduce further progression and especially alleviate psychosocial disturbances.