An observational study in Alopecia Areata, Alopecia Areata(AA) and Alopecia Areata (AA), sponsored by Istanbul Training and Research Hospital. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-30.
Sponsored by Istanbul Training and Research Hospital · Observational
The goal of this observational study is to learn about microvascular changes and hair follicle activity in patients with alopecia areata. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do blood levels of markers related to blood vessel formation (VEGF-A) and inflammation (VCAM-1) differ between patients with alopecia areata and healthy individuals?
Is there a link between these blood markers and structural changes in the nailfold capillaries?
How do these markers relate to specific trichoscopic signs of disease activity (such as black dots or exclamation mark hairs) and the overall severity of hair loss (SALT score)?
Researchers will compare patients with alopecia areata (grouped by disease duration: acute \<6 months vs. chronic >6 months) to healthy volunteers to see if there is a significant difference in systemic and local vascular indicators.
Participants will:
Undergo a trichoscopic scalp examination to identify markers of disease activity (black dots, yellow dots, exclamation mark hairs) and calculate the SALT score.
Have their nailfolds examined with a digital capillaroscope (50x) to detect microvascular alterations.
Provide a blood sample to measure the levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1.
Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune form of non-scarring hair loss. Although the exact cause is unknown, it is thought that inflammation and changes in the microvasculature (small blood vessels) play a significant role. This study aims to investigate the systemic and local vascular components of the disease.
The study includes 60 patients diagnosed with alopecia areata and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Patients are categorized into two groups based on disease duration:
Acute Group: Patients with a disease duration of less than 6 months.
Chronic Group: Patients with a disease duration of 6 months or longer.
Methodology and Procedures:
Dermatological and Trichoscopic Examination: All patients undergo a clinical examination using a Dermlite 5 dermatoscope. The severity of hair loss is calculated using the SALT (Severity of Alopecia Tool) score. Trichoscopic markers of disease activity, including black dots, yellow dots, exclamation mark hairs, broken hairs, vellus hairs, and pigtail hairs, are recorded according to Rudnicka's criteria.
Nailfold Capillaroscopy: To evaluate local microvascular alterations, nailfold capillaroscopy is performed using a Dino-Lite digital microscope (50x magnification). Examinations are conducted on the 2nd to 5th fingers of both hands after a 15-minute acclimatization period in a temperature-controlled room (20-23 °C). Morphological changes such as capillary dilatation, tortuosity, hemorrhages, and avascular areas are documented. An "abnormal pattern" is defined as the presence of two or more abnormalities in at least two fingers.
Biochemical Analysis: Venous blood samples are collected from all participants. After centrifugation, serum is separated and stored at -80 °C. Serum levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1) are measured using the ELISA method.
The study will analyze the correlation between these biochemical markers, trichoscopic activity signs, and capillaroscopic findings to better understand the vascular pathogenesis of alopecia areata across different disease stages.
220 studies on the registry are indexed under Alopecia Areata; 61 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 90 is below the median of 370 across 39 observational studies indexed under Alopecia Areata.
Browse Alopecia Areata studies →Istanbul Training and Research Hospital is the lead sponsor of 66 studies on the registry; 15 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
The study population consists of patients diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (AA) and healthy volunteers recruited from Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, a tertiary care dermatology outpatient clinic in Istanbul. The patient group is stratified into acute and chronic phenotypes based on disease duration. The healthy control group includes age- and sex-matched individuals with no history of hair, nail, or systemic vascular diseases.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Autoimmune disease
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients diagnosed with alopecia areata who have a disease duration of less than 6 months.
Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging · Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis · Diagnostic Test: Trichoscopic Imaging
Patients diagnosed with alopecia areata who have a disease duration of 6 months or longer.
Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging · Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis · Diagnostic Test: Trichoscopic Imaging
Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers with no history of alopecia, other autoimmune disorders, or systemic inflammatory diseases.
Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging · Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis
his intervention focuses on the integration of microvascular and biochemical markers to phenotype Alopecia Areata subgroups.
Also known as: Nailfold Capillaroscopy, NVC
Collection of 5-10 mL venous blood samples. Serum is separated by centrifugation (3000 RPM, 10 min) and analyzed via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine the levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1.
Also known as: Serum VEGF-A, Serum VCAM-1
his non-invasive procedure focuses on identifying specific trichoscopic patterns associated with Alopecia Areata activity, including yellow dots, black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and broken hairs.
Also known as: Trichoscopy, Dermoscopy
Serum Levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1
Serum concentrations of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 will be measured to evaluate systemic vascular involvement and endothelial activation in patients with Alopecia Areata.
Time frame: At enrollment (Baseline - Single time point)
Nailfold Capillaroscopic Patterns
Assessment of microvascular morphology (dilatation, tortuosity, hemorrhages) using a 50x digital microscope.
Time frame: At enrollment
Correlation with SALT Score and Trichoscopic Signs
Evaluation of the relationship between serum biomarkers (VEGF-A, VCAM-1) and clinical severity (SALT score) or activity signs (exclamation mark hairs, black dots).
Time frame: At enrollment
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Apr 2026; primary completion for Jun 2026, 2 months later.
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Istanbul Training and Research Hospital