Genetic links between atopy, allergy, and alopecia areata: insights from a Mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA), a prevalent form of autoimmune hair loss, has a not well-defined relationship with atopic and allergic disorders, including eczema, hay fever, and asthma. This study aims to elucidate the genetic relationship between atopy, allergies, and alopecia areata (AA) using Mendelian randomization. We hypothesize that atopic and allergic conditions contribute to the genetic predisposition of AA. We analyzed extensive genetic data from Genome-wide Association Studies (GWAS) involving over one million individuals. This analysis focused on assessing the genetic correlation between AA and various allergic conditions, including hay fever, eczema, asthma, and allergies to pollen, dust, and cats. The inverse variance weighted method served as our primary analytical tool, complemented by sensitivity analyses to verify the robustness of our results. Our findings reveal a significant genetic correlation between atopy/allergies and an increased risk of AA. Notably, strong associations were observed for hay fever, eczema, asthma, and specific allergies (pollen, dust, and cats). The sensitivity analyses corroborated these associations, reinforcing the reliability of our primary results. This study provides compelling genetic evidence of an association between atopic and allergic conditions and the development of AA. These findings suggest that individuals with such conditions may benefit from enhanced surveillance for early signs of AA.