Changes of serum trace elements level in patients with alopecia areata: A meta‐analysis. Issue 5 (2nd February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Waishu; Zheng, Haibo; Shan, Baihui; Wu, Yi
• Is Part Of: Journal of dermatology. Volume 44:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 588
• Page End: 591
• Publication Date: 2017-02-02
• Subjects: alopecia areata -- meta‐analysis -- selenium -- trace element -- zinc; Dermatology -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Japan -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.13705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0385-2407

Abstract

Abstract: Abnormalities of serum trace elements are involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA); however, the results of published studies are controversial. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the alterations of serum level of trace elements and AA using a meta‐analysis approach. We searched all articles indexed in PubMed, Embase and Science Citation Index published up to 30 April 2016 concerning the association between serum level of zinc, copper, iron/ferritin, selenium or magnesium and AA. Ten eligible articles involving 764 subjects were identified. Overall, pooled analysis indicated that patients with AA had a lower serum level of zinc ( P < 10 −4 ) and selenium ( P < 10 −4 ) than the healthy controls. However, there was no significant difference between the AA patients and controls in the levels of serum copper ( P = 0.81), serum iron ( P = 0.36), serum ferritin ( P = 0.37) and serum magnesium ( P = 0.07). This meta‐analysis suggests that low serum levels of zinc and selenium seem to be important risk factors for AA.