Alopecia areata in Black African patients: epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects
Background: The aim was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of alopecia areata in Black African patients. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted at the Dermatology and Venerology Department of the University Hospital Center of Treichville over a 5-year. Results: The prevalence of alopecia areata was 0.2%. The mean age was 24.6 years and the male-to-female ratio was 1.47. Stress preceding the symptomatology was found in 3 cases. As for the clinical distribution, there were 25 cases of plaque-type alopecia areata, 10 cases of total descending alopecia areata, and 7 cases of universal alopecia areata. There was no nail damage and no associated pathologies. Local treatment only was administered in 31 cases, local and systemic treatment in 8 cases, and systemic treatment only in 3 cases. Conclusions: Alopecia areata predominates in young male populations and pathologies associated with alopecia are very rare.