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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT05727306

Healthcare Disparities in Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common immune-mediated non-scarring alopecia often associated with substantial morbidity. There are however, limited population-based data on potential disparities in the burden of AA, including across people of different ethnicities and deprivation.

We aimed to provide the first large-scale, population-based estimate of lifetime risk of AA overall and by important sociodemographic subgroups. As AA is associated with an increased burden of mental health conditions and work-related outcomes (unemployment, time off work), a detailed understanding of the burden of disease in different sociodemographic groups is vital to plan resource provision.

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Key information

Conditions

Alopecia Areata Alopecia Hair Diseases Hypotrichosis Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

12 year–95 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Momentum Data Limited

London, United Kingdom

About this study

The overall purpose of the study is to provide an estimate of the cumulative lifetime incidence of AA in the population overall and by important sociodemographic groups. Moreover, to do a subgroup analysis in the AA population to identify health-related disparities across people in different socioeconomic strata, geographical distribution, sex and ethnic groups. The disparities that will be considered are AA associated: Mental health conditions; healthcare utilisation; and work impact (time off work and unemployment).

The cumulative lifetime risk of AA was estimated at age 80 years (approximate life expectancy in the UK) using survival models, with age as the timescale and accounting for the competing risk of death.

The assessment of any associations with baseline characteristics and the outcomes of interest will be assessed using Cox proportional hazards models (time to event outcomes) and Poisson regression (repeated event outcomes) models.

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients aged greater than 12 over the study period.
  • Registered with the contributing primary care practice for any duration during the study period

Exclusion criteria

  • People diagnosed with AA before the study period.

Treatment and study plan

No intervention

Other

Observational analysis of usual care only.

Primary outcomes

  1. Likelihood of Depressive Episodes

    Time frame: Data was collected retrospectively, assessed prior to and up to two years following initial Alopecia Areata diagnosis for each participant

    Estimated using logistic regression and reported using adjusted odds ratios

  2. Likelihood of Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder

    Time frame: Data was collected retrospectively, assessed prior to and up to two years following initial Alopecia Areata diagnosis for each participant

    Estimated using logistic regression and reported using adjusted odds ratios

  3. Likelihood of Anxiety Disorder

    Time frame: Data was collected retrospectively, assessed prior to and up to two years following initial Alopecia Areata diagnosis for each participant

    Estimated using logistic regression and reported using adjusted odds ratios

Secondary outcomes

  1. Relative Incidence of Primary Care Attendances

    Time frame: Data was collected retrospectively, assessed up to two years following initial Alopecia Areata diagnosis for each participant

    Estimated using negative binomial regression and reported as adjusted incidence rate ratio

  2. Relative Incidence of Dermatology Referrals

    Time frame: Data was collected retrospectively, assessed up to two years following initial Alopecia Areata diagnosis for each participant

    Estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression and reported as Adjusted hazard ratio

  3. Relative Incidence Psychological Therapy

    Time frame: Data was collected retrospectively, assessed up to two years following initial Alopecia Areata diagnosis for each participant

    Estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression and reported as adjusted hazard ratio

  4. Relative Incidence of Unemployment

    Time frame: Data was collected retrospectively, assessed up to two years following initial Alopecia Areata diagnosis for each participant

    Unemployment identified by issue of IB113 or ESA113 forms for unemployment. Relative incidence estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression and reported as Adjusted hazard ratio

  5. Relative Incidence of Time Off Work

    Time frame: Data was collected retrospectively, assessed up to two years following initial Alopecia Areata diagnosis for each participant

    Time off work identified by recorded issue of Med 3 certificate in primary care. Relative incidence estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression and reported as Adjusted hazard ratio

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Momentum Data

Industry

Collaborators

  • Pfizer
  • University of Oxford

Registry information

Official study title

Healthcare Disparities in Alopecia Areata: UK Population-based Cohort Study

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Feb 14, 2023
Registry last updated
Jun 18, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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