Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine if there is a correlation between ABO, Rh blood group, and alopecia areata (AA).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 118 cases with AA and 200 healthy controls (HCs) from the dermatological departments of hospitals in the western region, of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire.
Results: The study showed that females represented the majority of participants and that a significant percentage was of the 25 to 28 years-old age range, recruited majorly from the Western region. When it came to blood types, O+ was the most prevalent at 48%. It also had the largest frequency of alopecia, with 65 cases (29.15%), and alopecia was more common and seemed to be more severe in O+ blood group participants. The majority of participants (23.1%) who had alopecia had the condition for more than a year.
Conclusion: The findings revealed no significant correlation between the blood type and the incidence, severity, pattern, duration of alopecia, or changes in nails, despite the reported patterns.

Key words: Alopecia areata, ABO blood groups, hair loss patterns, autoimmune disorders, Saudi Arabia.