COVID-19-induced hair shedding and related risk factors: A Saudi perspective

Abrar E Bukhari; Dalal A AlDosari; Manal A AlDosari; Reema F Muqrin; Othillah M Moazin; Malak M Almutlq; Saad M Altalhab; Ruaa S Alharithy; Abdullah I Alkhalifah

doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_314_23

COVID-19-induced hair shedding and related risk factors: A Saudi perspective

J Family Med Prim Care. 2023 Dec;12(12):3304-3311. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_314_23. Epub 2023 Dec 21.

Authors

Abrar E Bukhari¹, Dalal A AlDosari¹, Manal A AlDosari¹, Reema F Muqrin¹, Othillah M Moazin¹, Malak M Almutlq², Saad M Altalhab¹, Ruaa S Alharithy³, Abdullah I Alkhalifah⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Dermatology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Dermatology, Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Introduction: Many cases of telogen effluvium (TE), acute hair shedding, following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported during the pandemic.

Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between COVID-19 and TE in Saudi Arabia. Self-administered online questionnaires were distributed online between March and September 2022 in Saudi Arabia. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine risk factors associated with TE post-COVID-19 (significance at P < 0.05).

Results: Of the 703 responders, 392 were included in the study. 59.70% (n = 234) recognized hair shedding during or after COVID-19. The time taken to realize hair shedding (3 or 6 months) and the duration varied (3, 6, >6 months). The risk factors significantly related to TE post-COVID-19 were: female sex (P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 2.98), COVID-19 antiviral treatment (P = 0.032, OR = 3.02), and TE history (P = 0.001, OR = 3.78).

Conclusion: Healthcare providers and physicians should be aware of the relationship between TE and COVID-19, to easily recognize, treat, and improve their patients' outcomes).

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; hair loss; telogen effluvium.