Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40153034›Full record

ArticleArchives of dermatological research2025

Illness perception, psychological distress, and quality of life in patients with alopecia: a cross-sectional study from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Hend M Alotaibi, Reem Bin Idris, Ahmed H Alajlan, Abdulaziz A Alghufaili, Maee Barakeh, Shaden A Alobaid, Norah K Algarzae

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Article in Archives of dermatological research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Hend M AlotaibiDepartment of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4290-8327
Reem Bin IdrisDepartment of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6494-1588
Ahmed H AlajlanDepartment of Dermatology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ahmed1alajlan@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-0454-6384
Abdulaziz A AlghufailiCollege of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-6797-5611
Maee BarakehCollege of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-9420-0412
Shaden A AlobaidCollege of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-3439-4801
Norah K AlgarzaeDepartment of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5286-5394

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlopecia, a condition marked by hair loss, includes androgenic alopecia (AGA), alopecia areata (AA), telogen effluvium (TE), and scarring alopecia, each with a unique pathophysiology that profoundly impacts psychological well-being, self-image, and quality of life (QoL), leading to anxiety and depression. Understanding illness perception and its connection to QoL and mental health in comorbid Saudi patients, especially in patients with the simultaneous presence of more than two medical conditions, remains limited. We aimed to assess Saudi patients' perception of different types of alopecia and explore the relationship between illness perception, QoL, psychological factors, and comorbidities.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, from December 2023 to March 2024. Ninety-nine adults with confirmed alopecia diagnoses completed validated questionnaires, including the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the Patient Depression Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Statistical analysis included regression models to determine predictors of QoL impairment.

resultsthe most common type of alopecia was AGA (47.5%), followed by AA (30.3%), scarring alopecia (16.2%), and TE (6.1%). Median scores for BIPQ and DLQI were 49.0 and 6.0, respectively, indicating moderate illness perception and QoL impact. Anxiety and depression levels were generally mild, though scarring alopecia patients reported higher emotional distress. Negative illness perception was strongly associated with reduced QoL and higher anxiety and depression scores. Factors such as illness perception, anxiety, and mental health conditions were significant predictors of QoL impairment.

conclusionOur findings underscore the psychological impact of alopecia and highlight the importance of addressing both physical symptoms and mental health in patient care. Thus, Targeted interventions focusing on illness perception and emotional well-being are crucial for improving outcomes.

Indexed as

AlopeciaPsychological DistressQuality of LifeAdultAgedAnxietyCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSaudi ArabiaSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultAlopeciaAnxietyDepressionIllness perceptionQuality of life

Identifiers

PMID40153034

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.